Halifax Parish collection

This collection would be of interest to researchers studying the nature and history of English parish libraries.

About the collection

The collector

This library was founded by Robert Clay, vicar of Halifax from 1624 to 1628, who presented some of his own books, and solicited gifts from other people, evidence of which can be seen in donation inscriptions. Over the next two hundred years, many other books were added, notably, in 1701, a large collection belonging to Simon Sterne of Woodhouse Skircoat. This included some books which had belonged to his father, Richard Sterne, Archbishop of York, 1664-1683. The library was chained until 1710 and evidence of this can be seen on around half a dozen of the books.

Highlights

The books are predominantly works of the Church fathers such as St Augustine and St Ambrose. There are also books on history, Roman law, and classic writers including Horace and Cicero. 17th- and 18th-century church writers such as Erasmus, Bucer, and Calvin, are also represented. As well as theology and biblical studies there are other more surprising titles.

Treasures include:

• The first edition of Israel Spach's Gynaeciorum (1597), a collection of gynaecological writings.
• The first Latin edition of Galileo's Systema cosmicum (1635).
• A book printed in 1481 with wonderful coloured woodcuts.

Acquisition

The library was transferred to the University of York in 1964-1966 when the University Library was opened. The collection is on deposit from Halifax Parish Church.

Related collections

• Slaithwaite Parish Library
• Mirfield Theological Library
• Parish libraries in York Minster Library
• Parish registers at West Yorkshire archive service

Further information

• This open access thesis from University College London contains sections on the history of both Halifax and Slaithwaite parish libraries.  The history of libraries in Halifax & Huddersfield from the mid-sixteenth century to the coming of the public libraries