'
A generous benefactor gave a copy of De Lyra's 'Commentaries,' which was
set upon a desk in St. Mary's Chancel for reference. A large gift of
books came from Richard Courteney, the Chancellor of the University; and
as a mark of gratitude he was allowed free access to the library during
the rest of his life. Among the other benefactors whose good deeds are
still commemorated we find King Henry IV., who helped to complete the
library, his successor Henry V., who contributed to its endowment as
Prince of Wales, and his brothers John Duke of Bedford and Humphrey Duke
of Gloucester; and the roll of a later date includes the names of Edmund
Earl of March, Philip Repington Bishop of Lincoln, and the munificent
Archbishop Arundel.
The good Duke Humphrey has been called 'the first founder of the
University Library.' We know from the records of that time that his
gifts were acknowledged to be 'an almost unspeakable blessing.' He sent
in all about three hundred volumes during his life, which were placed in
the chests of Cobham's Library as they arrived, to be transferred to the
new Divinity Schools as soon as room could be made for the whole
collection. He had intended to bequeath as many more by way of an
additional endowment, but died intestate: and there was a considerable
delay before the University could procure the fulfilment of his
charitable design. When the books at last arrived 'the general joy knew
no bounds'; and the title of 'Duke Humphrey's Library' was gratefully
given to the whole assemblage of books which from several different
quarters had come into the University's possession.
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