Established in 1849, the Library of Queen's University Belfast comprises one of the largest collections of books, periodicals and pamphlets held in Northern Ireland. One of the Library's great strengths lies in its department of Special Collections & Archives. Containing approximately 100,000 volumes, including some 20 incunabula, 267 STC and 1,430 Wing items, material held in the department is divided into three main categories of date, subject and personal library collections.
Special Collections Reading Room, McClay Library, Queen's University
McClay Library, Queen's University Belfast
Special Collections Store, McClay Library, Queen's University Belfast
There are three main collections grouped by date. These include Early Printed Books (Pre-1701), 18th Century Books and Pamphlets (including the Foster Pamphlet Collection) and 19th and 20th Century book collection of first editions and other rarities. The subject-based collections consist of the Hibernica Collection of books relating to and/or published in Ireland, the MacDouall Collection of early 19th Century philology, the Early Economics Collection, the Ross-Rosenzweig Collection of Jewish theology and literature, and the Gibson-Massie Moore Collection of books relating to the 19th century composer and satirist, Thomas Moore.
Special Collections also includes the contents of a number of personal libraries either bought or deposited (in whole or in part) by the Library. These include the libraries of the author and antiquarian, Bishop Thomas Percy (1729-1811), the Antrim Presbytery Library and books from the library of the 18th century economist and political thinker, Adam Smith (1723-90). Special Collections also contains a number of archival and manuscript collections providing a valuable supplement to the book collections. Originally catalogued in an in-house 'Calendar of Manuscripts Western and Oriental,' most collection listings are now accessible online. Significant collections include the Edward Bunting (1773-1843) Collection, the papers of Sir Robert Hart (1835-1911), the Hamilton Harty (1879-1941) Collection and the papers of Sir John Newport (1756-1843). Literary materials are a particular strongpoint of the collection with original manuscripts of William Allingham (1824-89), Shan F. Bullock (1865-1935), Arthur O'Shaughnessy (1844-81), Herbert Moore Pim (1883-?), Somerville & Ross, Helen Waddell (1889-1965) and Thomas Carnduff (1886-1956). The papers of former academics and students of the university are also well represented. These include the papers of Judge James J. Shaw (1845-1910), Stanley Wright (1873-1953) and Professors R.M. Henry (1873-1950), Charles MacDouall (1818-83), Thomas Andrews (1813-85), and James Thomson (1822-92). Small collections of Oriental and Gaelic manuscripts can also be found in addition to a collection of historic maps compiled by Lavens Ewart of Belfast (1845-98) and dated c. 1567-1900.
History. Ireland. Language and Literature. Economics. Theology. Music. Books & Printing. Politics.
Approx. 100,000 volumes and 14,000 documents comprising correspondence, reports, literary manuscripts, photographs, maps etc.
Books and pamphlets are catalogued on the Library catalogue QCAT: www.qub.ac.uk/lib
Manuscript listings are accessible from the Manuscripts web page.
Collection Dates
Created
Collected
Coverage
Additional Details
Custodial Information
Queen's University Belfast has legal ownership or formal agreements in place for materials in Special Collections & Archives.
Materials in Special Collections & Archives have been acquired through donation, bequest and purchase.
Provenance information relating to a number of collections is available on RASCAL, please contact specialcollections@qub.ac.uk for further information.
