| Early Printed Books (Pre-1701) | Queen's University Belfast |
|---|---|
| Collection | |
|---|---|
Identifier |
y/ |
Description |
Collection of 16th and 17th century books and pamphlets, including facsimilies. An extensive collection of early works, it contains in excess of 3,700 items, including 20 incunabula (i.e. printed before 1500), 267 STC and 1,430 Wing items, relating to a wide range of subject areas reflecting the interests and pre-occupations of writers of this period. Included can be found general works and early editions of titles concerning the classics, history, religion and the Church (both Protestant and Roman Catholic), politics, law and government. Of particular interest are the titles acquired by the University under the British Library’s Background Materials Scheme for the periods 1625-34 and (latterly) 1650-59. Pamphlets and other titles dealing with and commenting on personalities and events leading up to the civil war (1645-49) and during the interregnum are therefore prominent. Works of Irish interest from this period can also be found with materials concerning, for example, the Siege of Derry, 1690, the Irish Parliament and the 1641 rebellion, well represented. The collection also includes a comprehensive series of facsimilies taken from ‘The English Experience, its Record in Early Printed Books.’ |
Strengths |
The collection is particularly strong for works dating from 16th and 17th centuries both in original forms and facsimilies. Material concerning subjects and happenings of this period are therefore well represented. |
Physical Characteristics |
Approx. 3,787 items including 1191 folios; 26 outsized folios, 160 pamphlets, 5 pamphlet quartos 424 quartos and 1494 volumes. |
Languages |
English;French;German;Italian;Latin;Spanish |
Collection Temporal Date Range |
- |
Accumulation Date Range |
- |
Contents Date Range |
1500 - 1979 |
Collection Type |
Collection.Library.Text.Special |
Accrual |
Policy: Passive
Method: Purchase/Deposit
Periodicity: Irregular |
Access |
The collection is available for reference only under supervised access in the Special Collections Reading Room at The McClay Library. Further information is available here: http://libguides.qub.ac.uk/specialcollections |
Description or Catalogue |
Details of the Early Printed Book Collection can be found on the QUB on-line catalogue (QCAT), prefixed "y". The catalogue is accessible on http://www.qub.ac.uk/lib |
| Collector | |
|---|---|
Name |
The Library |
Organisation |
Queen's University Belfast |
Role |
Academic Institution |
History |
The Library at Queen’s was established in 1849 following the foundation of the original college in 1845. Based initially in the Great Hall, and, from 1869, in its own separate accomodation, the Library catered to the needs of all students enrolled in the college before future growth and expansion dictated otherwise. Today the Library is dispersed across a number of departmental libraries throughout Northern Ireland each providing access to what has become one of the largest collections of books, periodicals and pamphlets in the province with over one million items noted in the official library catalogue. Principal centres include the Main Library (with additional 1960s tower block) situated on the main campus site, the Medical Library at RVH, the Science Library in Chlorine Gardens (opened 1969), the Agriculture and Food Science Library at Newforge Lane (1970s), the Biomedical libraries in the City Hospital and in the Medical Biology Centre (Lisburn Rd), the Veterinary Research Library, the Seamus Heaney Library (1997) and the Campus Libraries at Armagh and Altnagelvin. Although largely adminstered as a separate unit for most of its history, the Library was recently amalgamated with the University’s Computer Services and Audio-Visual departments to form a new Information Services department in the year 2000. |
| Owner | |
|---|---|
Organisation |
Queen's University Belfast |
Role |
Academic Institution |
Telephone |
+44 (0)28 9024 5133 |
Fax |
+44 (0)28 9024 7895 |
History |
Queen's University Belfast was formerly established as 'Queen's College, Belfast' by Queen Victoria in 1845 as one of a network of three Queen's Colleges in Ireland alongside Cork and Galway. It was raised to the status of a full university in 1908 with its own Charter and Statutes. When Queen's College first opened its doors in 1849, there were 20 professors and 90 matriculated students all based in the main Lanyon building off University Road, Belfast. Since then, the University has grown considerably both in reputation and stature reflecting its status as one of the oldest universities in the UK. Now catering to some 1,300 academics and 17,000 full and part-time students, the University offers courses and research opportunities in Agriculture & Food Science, Arts, Economics & Social Sciences, Medicine & Health Sciences, Science, Engineering, Education, Law and Theology based in centres within several miles of the original site, as well as a Marine Laboratory at Portaferry, a campus at Armagh City and outreach centres in Omagh and Newcastle and a nursing campus at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry. Notable persons to have come through Queen’s doors include Seamus Heaney, a recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature, Mary McAleese, the current President of Ireland and a former senior officer at Queen's, David Trimble, a former member of teaching staff and a joint recipient of the Nobel Prize for Peace and superstar actor Liam Neeson. |
| Location | |
|---|---|
Name |
Queen's University Belfast |
Address |
The McClay Library |
County |
Antrim |
Website |
|
Access Control |
The McClay Library operates a controlled entry system. Members are required to use their Queen’s staff, student or library card to obtain admission. |
Role |
Librarian |
Phone |
00442890976333 |