Book contents
- Frontmatter
- 1 Introduction: the changing world of libraries – from cloister to hearth
- PART ONE THE EXPANSION OF BOOK COLLECTIONS 1640–1750
- PART TWO LIBRARY DEVELOPMENT AT A LOCAL LEVEL
- PART THREE PROVINCIAL AND METROPOLITAN LIBRARIES 1750–1850
- 18 Libraries in context: social, cultural and intellectual background
- 19 The book trade and libraries
- 20 Ecclesiastical libraries
- 21 Libraries in the parish
- 22 Books and universities
- 23 Libraries and literacy in popular education
- 24 Scientific and medical libraries: the rise of the institution
- 25 The first century of the British Museum library
- 26 The impact of the British Museum library
- 27 Private libraries in the age of bibliomania
- 28 Library architecture and interiors
- 29 Library management in the pre-professional age
- 30 Libraries for an imperial power
- 31 Engines of literature: libraries in an era of expansion and transition
- Select bibliography
- Index
- References
24 - Scientific and medical libraries: the rise of the institution
from PART THREE - PROVINCIAL AND METROPOLITAN LIBRARIES 1750–1850
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 28 March 2008
- Frontmatter
- 1 Introduction: the changing world of libraries – from cloister to hearth
- PART ONE THE EXPANSION OF BOOK COLLECTIONS 1640–1750
- PART TWO LIBRARY DEVELOPMENT AT A LOCAL LEVEL
- PART THREE PROVINCIAL AND METROPOLITAN LIBRARIES 1750–1850
- 18 Libraries in context: social, cultural and intellectual background
- 19 The book trade and libraries
- 20 Ecclesiastical libraries
- 21 Libraries in the parish
- 22 Books and universities
- 23 Libraries and literacy in popular education
- 24 Scientific and medical libraries: the rise of the institution
- 25 The first century of the British Museum library
- 26 The impact of the British Museum library
- 27 Private libraries in the age of bibliomania
- 28 Library architecture and interiors
- 29 Library management in the pre-professional age
- 30 Libraries for an imperial power
- 31 Engines of literature: libraries in an era of expansion and transition
- Select bibliography
- Index
- References
Summary
Specialised medical and scientific libraries barely existed in England in 1750, although there were numerous libraries in which the subjects were well represented. By 1850 a flourishing network of specialised libraries had developed, almost entirely through private enterprise, though government involvement had begun.
In the eighteenth century, scientific subjects such as chemistry and botany were closely allied to medicine, and a medical training was the only formal scientific qualification available. Many would-be scientists earned their livings as medical practitioners or, if they were fortunate enough to be employed as scientists, had originally qualified as physicians, surgeons or apothecaries. Medical and scientific libraries were significantly different. Medical libraries developed to serve well-defined communities of medical professionals. By contrast there were very few professional scientists until well on in the nineteenth century, but people from a wide variety of backgrounds had an interest in science, so that, while medicine tended to be the preserve of specialised libraries, general libraries were inclined to include science. When specialised scientific societies and libraries did begin to develop, they served interested amateurs as well as professionals. The libraries discussed in this chapter existed primarily to serve the needs of the professional classes.
Another feature worth mentioning is the peculiar English development of the London, Oxford and Cambridge triangle. London was the capital city and the headquarters of national institutions and professional associations, but had no university until 1826. Oxford and Cambridge were the country’ only two university cities, and their collegiate structure led to the development of a range of libraries there.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- The Cambridge History of Libraries in Britain and Ireland , pp. 388 - 404Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2006