In recent years, the library has expanded its digital presence greatly, making full use of the latest technology. An extensive programme has been launched to digitise the library’s manuscripts, rare books, and most important archives items. The library’s social media presence has also grown from strength to strength and a video series, Curators’ Choice, has been developed to bring ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ’s unique collections to as large an audience as possible. The creation of a set of online exhibitions is the obvious next step to complement these initiatives, as such exhibitions have the potential to bring together the library’s digitised images and video content on one site and dedicated to one particular theme—a goal achieved during the creation of the library’s first online exhibition, English Literature Through the Ages. This Note highlights the second online exhibition produced this year by the library, Geometry and Astronomy, which focuses on the Savilian professorships in both subjects, based at ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ. 

Geometry and Astronomy Exhibition (six webpage feature boxes)

 

²ÝÁñÊÓƵ Library and Archives, Oxford

2019 was a year of notable anniversaries, marking as it does both the 400th anniversary of the Savilian Professorships in geometry and astronomy, and the 40th anniversary of women students at ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ.  In 1619, the scholar and diplomat Sir Henry Savile (1549–1622) founded two university chairs bearing his name, which have long been associated with ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ.  And if we fast-forward from 1619 in Oxford some 360 years to 1979, women students are for the first time ever matriculating at ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ.

Paula Wilson, Portrait of Ruth Mazo Karras and Caroline Kay (2019)
Oil on board, 100 x 90 cms, ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ, Oxford

²ÝÁñÊÓƵ, Oxford

One of ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ’s most visually striking printed books, that came into the hands of the Savilian Professor of Astronomy almost four centuries after its publication . . .

²ÝÁñÊÓƵ Library, Oxford, BT1.70.2, title page

²ÝÁñÊÓƵ Library and Archives, Oxford