In 2017, The Leeds Library comissioned the British Library at Boston Spa to digitise a fraction of our extensive archive in preparation for our 250th Anniversary celebrations in 2018. These materials tell the story of the Library's beginnings in 1768, from the first members to the first books - the highlights of which you can uncover below!
First Meeting
By the end of the 18th Century, the high price of books had prompted the foundation of around 1,000 circluating libraries in Britain. The Leeds Library was founded in 1768, and its first meeting was held on the 15th August of that year - as you can see below in the minutes from our archive. It was held in the back room of Joseph Ogle's bookshop, and Ogle himself was swiftly elected to be first Librarian. He was succeeded by his daughter, Mary Robinson (who was only 25 at the time), after his death in 1774. In a subsequent meeting on the 17th of October 1768, it was agreed that the Library would open on ‘Tuesday the 1st of November next’ - our official opening date!
First Members
At our foundation, the Library had 105 members; men and women of Leeds and surrounding areas invested in sharing knowledge. Amongst the Leeds Library's founders is Joseph Priestly - our first secretary. His signature can be seen at Number 4 here (albiet crossed out after he sold his share upon leaving Leeds). Like all members, he would have paid one guinea for his Library share followed by an annual subscription of 5 shillings (to fund continual purchases of books!).
First Books
Our first catalogue of books was printed in 1768 for the use of the Library and its members. It records 285 works, ranging from politics, philosophy, and ethics to poetry, economics, and even a book on husbandry. Particular highlights include the collected works of Shakespeare, Voltaire, and Jonathan Swift - many of which, along with other volumes, the Library still has today.
Many of our members at this time were merchants embroiled in trade. As such, our first catalogue reflects a large number of non-fiction books on money, trade laws, and travel in foreign lands across the world. This includes but is not limited to the Canary Islands, China and other parts of Asia, and South America. Even some of the fiction reflects this interest - as the presence of Swift's Gulliver's Travels illustrates.
Start Building Your Foundations
This has been just a selection of The Leeds Library's rich history. These pages are the strong foundations of our existence, but we have used the more than 250 years since to grow into a thriving subscription Library that still welcomes members and the public alike to share knowledge and stories. Why not come and start your own story with the Library on one of our tours? We would love to have you - just click here to discover our upcoming events!
With thanks to:
Exhibition: Anna Goodridge and Niimi Day Gough
Digital: Niimi Day Gough
All images courtesy of The Leeds Library.