Very limited stock available - only 1 copy remaining Marsh's Library is a unique and historic institution. Ireland's first public library, it remains unchanged since Archbishop Narcissus Marsh founded it three hundred years ago. The magnificent collections dating from 1472 include books printed by the early scholar printers on a wide range of subjects including theology, philosophy, history, medicine, science, law, witchcraft, natural history and travel. The collections in Marsh's give an insight into the 17th-century mind and are a rich source for the history of ideas.
This book tells the story of the founder's life and his determination to build a library for the Irish public and to provide it with the best and most up-to-date books. It traces the history of the library, its eccentric keepers, and the many famous readers including Jonathan Swift, Charles Robert Maturin, Thomas Moore, James Clarence Mangan, Bram Stoker and James Joyce. The book also describes the many rare and early printings in the library, including Marsh's prestigious oriental collection.
Muriel McCarthy is Keeper of Marsh's Library since 1989.
