The Three L's

The Three Ls: Latin, Learning and Libraries at the RGS 

Adapted from an article by Oliver Edwards (RGS Newcastle History Department), for the ONA Magazine Issue 86 (Autumn 2012). 

One of the oldest documents in the RGS Archives reveals the story of our 18th century library.

On 20 December 1709, Headmaster Thomas Rud wrote the Catalogus Librorum Scholae publicae Novocastrensis, or, in plain English, a catalogue of books in our school library. A painstaking task, the manuscript is written in his careful handwriting, listing each book according to size.

What categories of book were in the early 18th century library? Stock included Bibles in Latin, the literature of the classical Greek and Roman world, patristic writings and Renaissance texts, such as Erasmus’s Adages. The books reflected the rigid classical curriculum of the 18th century grammar school, whose principal function was to teach pupils to speak, read and write Latin. Rud himself was the author of a book on Latin grammar and prose composition used by pupils at this school. Some of the books in the catalogue were set texts; Cicero’s Letters, for example, were a staple of the fourth form Latin course. 

The manuscript is more than just an index of books; it bears witness to later loans and gifts. There is some nice human detail. Then, as now, the life of a library book could be precarious. In 1709, the Reverend Robert Thomlinson borrowed volumes by St Basil and St Gregory of Nyssa - for life! In return, he pledged, “I do promise at my death to give the Schole Library the intire works by both these authors.” His promise was never redeemed, but Edmund Lodge, headmaster of the school 1715-38, records that at least the two books he had originally borrowed were returned on 13 August 1737: a 28-year loan in the end! 

Rud compiled the catalogue prior to leaving Newcastle in 1709. The document testifies to his love of books. On his appointment as headmaster, he had set about organising the library and he oversaw the uniform rebinding of many volumes. The RGS may have been a provincial grammar school, but it owned a rich library, confirming its pedigree as a genuine centre of learning. The scholarly Rud was subsequently appointed librarian to the Dean and Chapter at Durham and spent his later years producing a catalogue of the manuscripts belonging to Durham Cathedral. 

Catalogus Librorum Scholae publicae Novocastrensis, a catalogue of the RGS library books in 1709 by headmaster Thomas Rud [RGS Archives, ref: 782]

Catalogus Librorum Scholae publicae Novocastrensis, a catalogue of the RGS library books in 1709 by headmaster Thomas Rud [RGS Archives, ref: 782]

Acquiring the Manuscript

The manuscript was purchased by the school in April 2012 from antiquarian bookseller Alex Fotheringham (ON 1950-58), who kindly gave us first refusal on the sale. The cost was shared between RGS, the ONA Committee and a small group of enthusiastic ONs. An important acquisition documenting an aspect of our 18th century school, it received conservation treatment by Tyne & Wear Archives and was displayed at RGS Day in 2013. 

RGS is grateful to the following donors whose generosity made it possible to return the catalogue to its original home, for use by future researchers: 

ONA Committee 
Stephen Lawson (ON 1953-64) 
Richard Sharp (ON 1960-71) 
Prof Richard Tuck (ON 1956-66) 
Chris Calver (ON 1960-71)