Discover treasures of Durham University

History lovers can view some fascinating North East collections from the comfort of their own home through a new online exhibition.

Durham University’s museums and attractions are closed to the public due to COVID-19, however, its Exhibitions Team is allowing Internet users to learn about and enjoy 11 of its historic items.

The Treasures of Palace Green Library exhibition features items of interest from across the centuries and around the world, such as a 2nd Century AD letter from Roman-occupied Egypt and one of the world’s earliest printed books.

Also included is the Durham copy of Shakespeare’s First Folio, an early collection of the Bard’s works that was famously stolen from the university in 1998, but recovered and returned in 2010.

There is a limited edition of 300 paper copies of ‘Love is Enough’ by William Morris from 1897, which was the second book to be printed in three colours – black, red and blue – and an embroidered portrait from Francis Bacon’s The Essayes (1625).

Durham University’s Palace Green Library is home to 100,000 books and more than 100 medieval manuscripts. It is still housed in its original building, the library of Bishop of Durham John Cosin, which he founded from his private collection in 1669. The exhibition is free to view at stories. durham.ac.uk/treasures-ofpalace-green-library

Liz Waller, director of library and collections at Durham University, said: “Though we’re sad not to be able to welcome visitors to our museums and attractions at the moment, we’re excited to launch this online exhibition that gives just a flavour of our wonderful collections.”