If you weren’t aware, Cambridge is lousy with libraries. Everywhere you turn, there is another college’s library. Ideally, I would have loved to visit them all. Unfortunately, I had limited time in Cambridge, though, and many of them are for their own students and scholars. However, the Wren Library does allow visitors. They have an incredible collection with several priceless and historically important pieces, and visiting is at the top of my list on my next trip. Today I’m looking at the history of the Wren Library, and the books that I want to see on my visit!
The History of the Wren Library
The Wren Library belongs to Trinity College, and was designed by Sir Christopher Wren. If you are newer to the blog, Sir Christopher Wren is my favourite architect- St. Paul’s Cathedral and Kensington Palace are two of my favourite buildings. (Hampton Court Palace is no slouch, either!) He designed it in 1676 and it was completed in 1695. It is on Nevile’s Court, and backs onto the River Cam. Interestingly, it was built as a single room.
The Statue of Lord Byron
Each of the stacks has a wood carving by the Anglo-Dutch Grinling Gibbons, with a marble bust sitting on top. You will find different writers featured, as well as notable members of the College. However, you will also find a full-sized statue of Lord Byron in the library. It was intended for Poets Corner in Westminster Abbey, but they refused it (citing his immorality). You can see the statue above!
The Original Winnie the Pooh Manuscript
The main reason that I want to visit the Wren Library? To visit a little bear! The Library holds the original manuscripts for both Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner. Fun fact: The real bear behind the stories, a black bear owned by a soldier, was named for my city, Winnipeg! (The soldier considered Winnipeg his adopted hometown, and named Winnie in honour of us.)
This is only available until June 2021, but you can take a virtual tour of the Wren Library here: https://poly.google.com/view/8Nh2J61cSpc.
Have you visited the Wren Library yourself?
Cheers,
The Historian
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Thanks for adding a link to the library. The virtual tour, though brief, is great and seeing the books (even virtually) is wonderful! I missed this one when I went there. I’ll have to see it next time I visit family.
You must!! And then report back your findings 😊