Cambridge University Library

Cambridge University Library, originating in the mid-14th century, serves as the central research library for the University of Cambridge, encompassing over 100 libraries. Its formal establishment dates to the early 15th century, with significant growth spurred by benefactors like Andrew Perne in the late 16th century. A pivotal moment arrived in 1710 when it became a copyright deposit library, followed by King George I's donation of John Moore's extensive collection in 1715. Key figures such as Henry Bradshaw, Francis Jenkinson, and Alwyn Faber Scholfield shaped its structure and services throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. The current Giles Gilbert Scott-designed building opened in 1934, largely funded by John D. Rockefeller. Beyond its core function, it has also played a role in cultural preservation, such as the rescue of the Arthur Schnitzler archive during the Nazi era. The library houses the Darwin Correspondence Project and the original manuscript of Darwin's 1860 letter to Asa Gray.