Library History
Florence Nightingale
It is to record the many kind Obi made to our Library since it was opened on 10th June, 1901, iu its temp.wary home over the way. The first is Miss Nightingale’s cheque for £5O, with which to buy books. That cheque has been enclosed in a stone frame and built into the wall of the recreation room where we can all see the autograph of “one of FA:gland’s noblest women.” (Applause). Her god-daughter, Miss Ruth ‘Verney, has just presented to the Libriry a tine portrait of bliss Nightiogsle, which has been hung over the cheque. (Applause). With the £5O 403 books were bought, and these, with a large nnmber sent from Claydon House, were the fonodation of the Library. Sir E Verney has given 347 books, Lady Verney 54, Sir E. and Lady Verney jointly 58, Mrs. Salmon 2, Miss Verney 29, Miss It. Verney 4, Mr. Harry Verney 20; making a total of 506 books received from Claydon House. Mr. and Mrs. Locke Lanmister gave £lO, with which 80 books were purchased, and we have hail gifts of books from Mrs. Lloyd Verney, Mr. Frederick Verney, and Mr. James Lloyd Verney, who gave the Century Dictionary in 8 vols.; also from the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty’s Treasury, the Board of Education (through Mr. J. E• Sadler), the Protestant Reformation Society, the British and Foreign Bible Society, the Corporation of the City of London, Mr. Ainge, M iss Benson, Miss E. Benson, Mr. H. H. Benson, Mr. F. Franks,Mr. and Mrs. Dodge. Mr. and Mrs. Farmborouh, Mrs. Le r, Miss Witham, Mr. C. Wertheimer, Mr. F. Clifford, Mr. HerbertS. Leon, M r. E. M. little, Mr. I. Milsom, Mr. E. Roscoe—in all 1290 books. (Applause.) The bookplate was designed and presented by Mr. Edward Napier Spencer. When we leave the books we come back to Sir Edmund and Lady Verney, who have given the entire furniture of the reading-room, much of that in the recreation room, all the pictures except those I shall mention later, and all the decorations: further, they have given untold time and thought, the kindest personal interest and work—for all the pretty curtains in this hall and in the other rooms are of Lady Verney’e own making. (Applause.)
BICESTER HERALD FRIDAY 7 NOVEMBER 1902
