Robert Wilberforce books in the Mirfield collection

The library holds the collection of the Community of the Resurrection in Mirfield, around 2700 items. 72 books in the Mirfield collection originally belonged to the abolitionist William Wilberforce and his two sons Robert and Samuel.

The books are largely religious in content, reflecting the interests of the family, especially the sons who were both ordained in the Church of England. Robert’s books, in particular, appear to be his working library and are heavily annotated and marked throughout.

How to access the collection

The books are catalogued and can be accessed via the Library's online catalogue. Items can be consulted in the Borthwick Search Room and copies can be made subject to copyright. Material cannot be loaned outside the University of York without the permission of the owners.

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About the collection

The collectors

Most of the books belong to Robert Wilberforce (1802-1857), second son of William. Robert studied at Oxford University and was ordained into the Church of England in 1828. During his time at Oxford Robert became a leading member of the Oxford movement, a group of churchmen who were concerned with proposed changes in liturgy and governance of the Church of England.

In 1840 Robert became vicar at Burton Agnes in East Yorkshire, and then archdeacon of the East Riding of Yorkshire.  In 1854 Robert resigned from the Anglican Church and was received into the Church of Rome.

Acquisition

The books, as part of the Mirfield collection, were deposited at the University in 1973 on permanent loan from the Community of the Resurrection, Mirfield.

Related collections

There are also books belonging to the Wilberforces at the University and at York Minster Library. More books belonging to the Wilberforce family can be found at the Wilberforce House Museum in Hull.

Further information