Western Collection Guides
Special collections in the Bodleian Library
The Bodleian Library's special collections are divided into two main groups: Western Manuscripts & Rare Books, Maps and Music and Oriental Manuscripts & Rare Books.
Oxford University humanities theses also form a part of the Bodleian Library's special collections: you can find catalogued theses online via SOLO (Search Oxford Libraries Online).
In addition, Special Collections includes the University Archives, Oxford University's own administrative records.
Western manuscripts, printed ephemera, maps, music
Western manuscripts are archives and manuscript volumes in western languages (the majority in English and Latin). The Bodleian's collections range from classical papyri and medieval illuminated manuscripts to modern political and scientific archives and electronic records.
In addition to these archival holdings, the library's special collections include important collections of western-language rare books & printed ephemera, as well as maps and music.
The collection guides
Please use the links below for summaries and highlights of the Library's greatest collections of Western manuscripts:
For more complete guides to the Bodleian Library's special collections, please see the Catalogues & Finding Aids pages, or consult: The Bodleian Library : a subject guide to the collections, edited by Gregory Walker, Mary Clapinson and Lesley Forbes (Oxford: Bodleian Library, 2004)