I thought it would be appropriate to end my Oxford blog with something more serious -- something I am very passionate about: libraries! One of the major perks for serving as the Columbus State Oxford site coordinator was that I got a Bodleian Library card. This is a big deal, as it gets me into Oxford libraries and into special places like Magdalen College Garden and Christ Church "Big Tom" entrance without a fee. It also allows me to access all of the University of Oxford's fabulous electronic resources -- from the privacy of my room at Spencer House.
Needless to say, during my six-month sojourn in Oxford I have been very distracted with a bit of sight-seeing, visits from U.S. friends, trips to London to see Tiff, Midsomer Murders on TV (ha!), etc. I have not done as much library research as I thought I would do.
There are 3 major things I am researching: the Wren family (mine), the Spencer family (not mine) and Basil Hall, the Scottish travel writer who came to Columbus before the lots were sold in 1828 (for a Muscogiana article). The two genealogical projects have waned a bit because I still don't know were the English Wrens and Spencers were from inside the country.
However, a week or so ago, I did wander over to the Bodleian's Special Collections Room (temporarily housed in the Radcliffe Science Library) and managed to look at a 1685 manuscript about the Spencers of Yarnton that was compiled by a man named Anthony a Wood. Apparently he was a seventeenth century genealogist/antiquarian. It was a big deal for me to see this manuscript because my Bodleian card wasn't coded for manuscript access, but the nice people at the desk got permission for me to view it.
They also helped me order 3 Basil Hall items that were in storage. It took about 24 hours to get them retrieved, and they were delivered to the Duke Humphries Library inside the old Bodleian Library for me to use. Basically, this is the oldest part of the Bodleian -- dating back to the 15th century.
When I went to Duke Humphries the first time, I had a problem getting in. They wouldn't let me bring my purse in, but they didn't provide lockers so that I could lock it up. Dumb. So, I had to wait till the next day. On that day, I stopped by the Radcliffe Science Library, put my purse in a locked locker, and strolled down to the Bodleian with just a few pieces of paper and a pencil.
Reading in Duke Humphries was quite an experience. The library is a long hall, with short book stacks jutting out from each side of the the windows that line the side walls of the hall. This arrangement creates little alcoves. In each alcove there are desks and above them are shelves of old books. In the early days, these books were chained to the shelves. Lighting is not the best; in the old days, the windows provided the only light. You better not light a candle in the library!
Unfortunately, since cameras aren't allowed in Duke Humprhies, I couldn't take any photos. However, if you'd like to see one and read a bit more, go to
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duke_Humfrey%E2%80%99s_Library
I looked at 3 items. One was a review of Basil Hall's Travels in North America, 1827-1828, which contains a brief description of Columbus on April 1, 1828, as it was being surveyed in preparation for the sale of lots. According to Hall, there were about 900 people on the site, building make-shift houses that they could roll on logs to the lot that they finally purchased, and milling about trying to earn a buck (the carpenters and blacksmiths). There were also a number of lawyers on the scene -- ready to help folks with their land transactions. Anyhoo, the review (written in 1829) was by an American who accused Hall of feeding the ill-will that had brewed between the Americans and the English since the end of the Revolution. Interesting, but...
A second item was a pamphlet on the Camera Lucida, a devise that aided in drawing. Hall used a Camera Lucida to sketch pictures of Columbus and the other places he visited on his 1827-1828 journey. In fact, Hall became a major spokesperson for the device. The pamphlet contains a letter written by Hall explaining how to use the Camera Lucida.
The final item is a book of 40 of the sketches that Hall made on his trip. These are etchings that were made from the sketches. In all, Hall made about 169 sketches, which are now owned by the Lily Library at the University of Indiana. The famous sketch of "Columbus, an embryo town" is in the book, which was published in 1829, and is now out of copyright. I looked into having the Bodleian make a scan of the sketch so that we could use it in Muscogiana. It was going to be around $50. However, when I was searching the web later that day, I discovered that the Alabama Department of Archives and History has the same book, and they can make a scan for $15. Much better deal!
So, I know this is more than you ever wanted to know about Duke Humphries or my research projects, but these are some of the things that make me happy -- nerd that I am!
That's probably it for the Oxford Omnibus. I'm headed home soon and will probably not have time to do additional postings. I've enjoyed sharing my Oxford experience with you all -- thanks for reading! I hope you've found it entertaining and enlightening!
Cheers, Callie
Needless to say, during my six-month sojourn in Oxford I have been very distracted with a bit of sight-seeing, visits from U.S. friends, trips to London to see Tiff, Midsomer Murders on TV (ha!), etc. I have not done as much library research as I thought I would do.
There are 3 major things I am researching: the Wren family (mine), the Spencer family (not mine) and Basil Hall, the Scottish travel writer who came to Columbus before the lots were sold in 1828 (for a Muscogiana article). The two genealogical projects have waned a bit because I still don't know were the English Wrens and Spencers were from inside the country.
However, a week or so ago, I did wander over to the Bodleian's Special Collections Room (temporarily housed in the Radcliffe Science Library) and managed to look at a 1685 manuscript about the Spencers of Yarnton that was compiled by a man named Anthony a Wood. Apparently he was a seventeenth century genealogist/antiquarian. It was a big deal for me to see this manuscript because my Bodleian card wasn't coded for manuscript access, but the nice people at the desk got permission for me to view it.
They also helped me order 3 Basil Hall items that were in storage. It took about 24 hours to get them retrieved, and they were delivered to the Duke Humphries Library inside the old Bodleian Library for me to use. Basically, this is the oldest part of the Bodleian -- dating back to the 15th century.
When I went to Duke Humphries the first time, I had a problem getting in. They wouldn't let me bring my purse in, but they didn't provide lockers so that I could lock it up. Dumb. So, I had to wait till the next day. On that day, I stopped by the Radcliffe Science Library, put my purse in a locked locker, and strolled down to the Bodleian with just a few pieces of paper and a pencil.
Reading in Duke Humphries was quite an experience. The library is a long hall, with short book stacks jutting out from each side of the the windows that line the side walls of the hall. This arrangement creates little alcoves. In each alcove there are desks and above them are shelves of old books. In the early days, these books were chained to the shelves. Lighting is not the best; in the old days, the windows provided the only light. You better not light a candle in the library!
Unfortunately, since cameras aren't allowed in Duke Humprhies, I couldn't take any photos. However, if you'd like to see one and read a bit more, go to
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duke_Humfrey%E2%80%99s_Library
I looked at 3 items. One was a review of Basil Hall's Travels in North America, 1827-1828, which contains a brief description of Columbus on April 1, 1828, as it was being surveyed in preparation for the sale of lots. According to Hall, there were about 900 people on the site, building make-shift houses that they could roll on logs to the lot that they finally purchased, and milling about trying to earn a buck (the carpenters and blacksmiths). There were also a number of lawyers on the scene -- ready to help folks with their land transactions. Anyhoo, the review (written in 1829) was by an American who accused Hall of feeding the ill-will that had brewed between the Americans and the English since the end of the Revolution. Interesting, but...
A second item was a pamphlet on the Camera Lucida, a devise that aided in drawing. Hall used a Camera Lucida to sketch pictures of Columbus and the other places he visited on his 1827-1828 journey. In fact, Hall became a major spokesperson for the device. The pamphlet contains a letter written by Hall explaining how to use the Camera Lucida.
The final item is a book of 40 of the sketches that Hall made on his trip. These are etchings that were made from the sketches. In all, Hall made about 169 sketches, which are now owned by the Lily Library at the University of Indiana. The famous sketch of "Columbus, an embryo town" is in the book, which was published in 1829, and is now out of copyright. I looked into having the Bodleian make a scan of the sketch so that we could use it in Muscogiana. It was going to be around $50. However, when I was searching the web later that day, I discovered that the Alabama Department of Archives and History has the same book, and they can make a scan for $15. Much better deal!
So, I know this is more than you ever wanted to know about Duke Humphries or my research projects, but these are some of the things that make me happy -- nerd that I am!
That's probably it for the Oxford Omnibus. I'm headed home soon and will probably not have time to do additional postings. I've enjoyed sharing my Oxford experience with you all -- thanks for reading! I hope you've found it entertaining and enlightening!
Cheers, Callie
Indeed and I will miss your blog!
ReplyDeleteHello Callie,
ReplyDeleteYes, thank you for sharing your trip with all of the adventures! You should travel more often! Paula