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ABOUT US: ORIGINS AND KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
Since its establishment in 1931, the Friends of the National Libraries have helped over 150 institutions, including national and university libraries and county record offices, to acquire thousands of items.
Among the first historic treasures which the Friends helped to buy were the Codex Sinaiticus and the Paston letters, acquired by the British Museum in 1933. Important items for which grants have been given recently include:
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Henry Purcell, (1658 - 1695), hornpipe from The Fairy Queen Autograph, British Library, Music MS. I, f. 5v.
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the Archive of the Williams Wynn family of Wynnstay, 12th to 18th century (National Library of Wales) |
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the Archive of the Cowper family of Panshanger, c.1280-1953 (Hertfordshire County Record Office) |
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the Helmingham Breviary, c.1420 (Norwich Castle Museum) |
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the Fairhurst papers (1587-90) (Lambeth Palace Library) |
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the Warwick Shakespeare Deed, 1602 (Shakespeare Birthplace Trust). |
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the Macclesfield collection of scientific papers of Sir Isaac Newton (1643-1727) and other scientists (Cambridge University Library) |
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keyboard music manuscript by Henry Purcell, 1659-95 (British Library) |
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the Papers of James Watt, 1736-1819 (Birmingham City Archives) |
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the Papers of Thomas Bewick and his business, 1785-1881 (Tyne & Wear Archives Service) |
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manuscripts, letters and early editions of Thomas de Quincey, 1785-1859 (Wordsworth Trust) |
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papers of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, 1806-59 (Bristol University Library) |
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the Charlotte Brontë-Robert Southey Correspondence, 1837 (Brontë Parsonage Museum) |
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letters from Sir Edwin Landseer to William Wells, 1859-89 (Victoria & Albert Museum) |
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the literary papers of Hugh MacDiarmid, 1892-1978 (National Library of Scotland) |
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letters from Iris Murdoch to David Hicks, 1938-91 (Bodleian Library, Oxford) |
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literary archive and correspondence of Muriel Spark, 1956-97 National Library of Scotland) |
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the correspondence and papers of Laurence Olivier, 1907-89 (British Library) |
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George Orwell’s letters to his mother, 1911-12 (University College, London) |
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TO CONTINUE ITS WORK, THE FRIENDS NEED NEW MEMBERS
In order to continue its essential work, the charity needs a flourishing membership. Membership is by simple application. Please go to the Members page
PLEASE JOIN NOW.
All enquiries concerning the charity and membership should be sent to the Membership Secretary, who can also send a copy of the constitution, and the most recent annual report and accounts. |
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Copyright in the images on this website belongs to the institutions named, and further reproduction is prohibited. |
