A Catalogue of the Printed Books in the Library of the Dean and Chapter of York

This 1896 catalogue of York Minster Library was compiled by James Raine (1830–96) and includes many important early works.

A succession of significant bequests from 1414 onwards has given York Minster the largest cathedral library in the country. The nineteenth century saw many notable additions, and this catalogue, compiled by James Raine (1830–96) and published in 1896, lists most of the printed books that were then in the library, excluding recent theological works.York Minster has the largest cathedral library in England. The original library was established in the eighth century, but nothing survives from this period. A new collection was begun in 1414 when John Newton left books to the Minster, and a new library was erected. Further bequests followed - including in 1628 the important collection of Tobie Matthew, archbishop of York - which reflect the religious controversies of the sixteenth century. Today the library contains some 120,000 items, of which more than 25,000 were printed before 1801. This catalogue, published in 1896, was compiled by James Raine (1830–96), chancellor of York Minster, a leading figure in the nineteenth-century restoration of the library. It contains an alphabetical list of most of the printed books that were then in the library, but does not include recent theological acquisitions or the bequest by Edward Hailstone (d.1890) of 10,000 items on Yorkshire.