The Sterling Library started out as the private collection of Sir Louis Sterling (1879-1958), a wealthy businessman. When the collection arrived at the Senate House Library in 1956 it comprised more than 4000 rare printed books and manuscripts of English literary works, from the middle ages to the 20th Century, and it has now grown to more than 7000 volumes.
In this year's Charles Holden Lecture, Dr Julia Walworth will introduce some of these treasures and explore how the role and function of the Sterling Library has evolved — from a collection of ‘trophy books’ to an invaluable resource for the University’s many activities in the burgeoning field of the History of the Book.
Dr Julia Walworth is Fellow Librarian at Merton College, Oxford. Before moving to Merton in 2001, she was for eight years Head of Special Collections and then Head of Historic Collections at Senate House Library. She has taught for the London History of the Book MA course and London Rare Book School.
Her research interests include medieval manuscripts, early printed books, and the history of libraries and book collecting. She is the author of a monograph on illustrations in early manuscripts of German romances, as well as articles and reviews on medieval manuscripts and book and library history, including ‘Sir Louis Sterling and his Library’, Jewish Historical Studies (2005).
As convener of the interdisciplinary Merton History of the Book research group, Julia is always exploring new ways for students and others to engage with special collections.
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