Toronto is home to a large number of libraries. They all help students and everyday citizens discover new books, archival documents, manuscripts, and more. Today, we will talk about the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library at the University of Toronto, which is the largest publicly accessible repository of rare books and manuscripts in Canada. Read more about the library’s history and development on the toronto1.one website.
History of the Library’s Founding
The library traces its origins to 1955. Admittedly, at that time, only the Department of Rare Books and Special Collections was established. This collection was assembled by Chief Librarian Robert H. Blackburn. He later hired Marion E. Brown, who had worked in the Special Collections department at Brown University.
Marion E. Brown began her work with items that had been accumulating since 1890. Notably, some of these items in the collection included medieval manuscripts, early printed books, and special volumes from later periods, which Queen Victoria had gifted to the university. There were enough unique books and documents to open the Rare Book Room in 1957.
It is worth noting that this department did not have a permanent location. In 1973, the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library was opened.
Development of the Library
The Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library received its name from the merchant Thomas Fisher. In 1822, he immigrated from Yorkshire and settled along the Humber River. Subsequently, he was a well-known wealthy man.
In 1973, Thomas Fisher’s great-grandsons, Sidney and Charles Fisher, donated their rare book collections to the university. These were their personal collections of works by Shakespeare, various 20th-century authors, and etchings by Wenceslaus Hollar. It is worth noting that since its opening, the library has grown to approximately 740,000 volumes and 4,000 metres of manuscript holdings.
Overall, the library’s collections are impressive. We should add that one of the library’s most interesting collections is the collection of books about monsters. It covers the period from ancient works to 18th-century catalogues. The library’s collection includes “Natural History” by Cicero, published in 1551, and “History of Monsters” by Ulisse Aldrovandi, dated 1642. It is worth highlighting the library’s most valuable artifacts: Shakespeare’s First Folio from 1623, the first edition of Isaac Newton’s Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica, the Nuremberg Chronicle from 1493, editions of “Alice in Wonderland,” and ancient papyrus works. And the library also has a collection of 500 valentines.
Interestingly, the library also has a large collection of anatomical works, including the works of the prominent anatomist Andreas Vesalius. Furthermore, many of these volumes are available in digital format, making access easier for researchers.
The library not only preserves rare books but also holds various educational and scientific events. Visitors have the opportunity to view various exhibits. And interesting exhibitions are also organized here, presenting different parts of the collections.
In April 2018, it was reported that the library had acquired the oldest English-language book in Canada and its 15-millionth item, known as the Caxton Cicero. It was printed in 1481 by the Englishman William Caxton.
The Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library is a unique library in Toronto that serves as an important cultural and scientific centre for Canada. It is in this library that historical documents, manuscripts, and books are preserved. And modern scholars and students have the opportunity to study various sources.
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