After Cosin’s death, his successors continued to add to his library. These include Nathaniel Crewe, who donated a Bible and a Book of Common Prayer, which had been lavishly bound in the workshop of the royal binder Samuel Mearne for Charles II’s private chapel. Larger bequests were also made by Bishop Richard Trevor, Bishop William Van Mildert (as a foundation collection for the new university), and Bishop Edward Maltby.
History
History
Cosin’s foundation of the ‘episcopal library of the bishop of Durham’ in 1669 may not have come as a surprise to those who knew him.
Throughout his career, Cosin showed an interest in libraries and the spread of knowledge. He first served as librarian (and secretary) to another bishop, Bishop John Overall. Later, when he was part of the Chapter of Durham Cathedral, he looked after the library there. While Master of Peterhouse, Cambridge he planned a new building for the University Library, but this was never built.
Foundation
Founded in 1669, the library was part of Bishop John Cosin’s drive to re-establish the bishop’s authority in Northern England after the tumultuous Civil War and Commonwealth period (1642-1660), but also reflected his lifelong appreciation of books and learning.
In the late seventeenth century, libraries for public use were extremely rare in England and only certain types of people were allowed in. When Cosin opened his ‘public’ library on Palace Green, he limited access to members of the clergy, lawyers and other learned gentlemen in the Diocese of Durham (which until 1858 included Northumberland).
At the time, most educated people had private libraries and might allow access to other scholars. Libraries attached to universities or cathedrals only allowed selective access to small numbers of people.
The Latin motto over the entrance of Cosin’s Library translates as ‘not the least part of learning is the knowledge of good books’. In other words, Cosin expected future users to be familiar with the sorts of books that were in his library.
The first library catalogue shows what Cosin thought would be acceptable books. There is much theology (Bibles and commentaries on individual books of the Bible), history, law, ancient Greek and Roman literature, philosophy and other subjects.
Although he spent at least £2000 on books for the library, much of the collection came from his personal library, which he had built up over time. It includes books that were kept at Peterhouse in Cambridge, where Cosin was Master until 1644, as well as books he acquired while he was in exile in France during the Civil War and Commonwealth period.
Cosin’s foundation of the ‘episcopal library of the bishop of Durham’ in 1669 may not have come as a surprise to those who knew him.
Throughout his career, Cosin showed an interest in libraries and the spread of knowledge. He first served as librarian (and secretary) to another bishop, Bishop John Overall. Later, when he was part of the Chapter of Durham Cathedral, he looked after the library there. While Master of Peterhouse, Cambridge he planned a new building for the University Library, but this was never built.
Construction
The library cost £500 to build, and its construction was overseen by John Langstaffe, a local Quaker and master mason. Cosin’s library was one of the earliest insular public spaces in England which had wall-mounted (rather than protruding) book shelves, resulting in a large, open space that may have been inspired by similar libraries which Cosin had seen in continental Europe.
Above most bookcases are painted portraits of theologians, philosophers, historians and classical authors. The portraits informed users about the subjects of the books shelved underneath. Painted by Jan Baptist van Eersel, an otherwise unknown Dutch painter, the portraits are based on illustrations from books still in the library. The books have been moved around over time, but because Cosin also commissioned a written catalogue, we know how they were shelved when the library first opened.
Like the rest of Palace Green, the appearance of Cosin’s Library has changed over the centuries. For example, the turret at the front of the building was added in 1834, creating an entrance to the gallery, which was built to accommodate people after the university had started using the library as a ceremonial space.
Cosin’s Library over time
The library remained a central part of life around Palace Green in the centuries following Cosin’s death in 1672, and continues to do so today.