Dodderidgian Library
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The Dodderidgian Library (Latin: ''Bibliotheca Doddridgiana'') was founded in 1667 in
Barnstaple Barnstaple ( or ) is a river-port town in North Devon, England, at the River Taw's lowest crossing point before the Bristol Channel. From the 14th century, it was licensed to export wool and won great wealth. Later it imported Irish wool, bu ...
, North Devon, England, by Judith Dodderidge, third wife and widow of John Dodderidge (1610–1659) of Barnstaple and
Bremridge Bremridge is a historic estate within the former hundred of South Molton in Devon, England. It is now within the parish of Filleigh but was formerly in that of South Molton. It is situated 8 miles north-west of South Molton. Since the constructi ...
, South Molton, MP. It represents one of the earliest town libraries in England which continues in existence since its foundation.


History

Dodderidge bequeathed his library to his third wife Judith in the following last line of his will dated 20 January 1658: :''"Alsoe I leave the disposing of my library of bookes (unto) my said deare wife whome I make and ordaine sole executrix of this my last will and testament not doubting of her care in the due executing thereof..."''. In 1664 she gave or bequeathed the library to the Corporation of Barnstaple. The bequest was of 112 volumes, many of which were originally from the library of her husband's wealthy and prominent uncle Sir
John Doddridge Sir John Doddridge (akas: Doderidge or Dodderidge; 1555–1628) was an English lawyer, appointed Justice of the King's Bench in 1612 and served as Member of Parliament for Barnstaple in 1589 and for Horsham in 1604.Fuidge He was also an antiquarian ...
(1555–1628), of Barnstaple and Bremridge, MP and a Justice of the King's Bench, as evidenced by his signature in several of them. The collection became known as the ''Bibliotheca Doddridgiana'' ("Dodderidgian Library"). A special building was erected to house the books at the north-east corner of the external walls of the chancel of
St Peter's Church, Barnstaple St Peter's Church is the parish church of the town of Barnstaple in North Devon, England. Parts of the church date to the 13th-century with much restoration during the Victorian era by George Gilbert Scott and later by his son John Oldrid Scott wh ...
.


Contents

The books were chiefly in Latin on the subject of theology, and include most notably a 1610 edition of
John Foxe John Foxe (1516/1517 – 18 April 1587), an English historian and martyrologist, was the author of '' Actes and Monuments'' (otherwise ''Foxe's Book of Martyrs''), telling of Christian martyrs throughout Western history, but particularly the su ...
's '' Book of Martyrs'', containing a very well preserved illustration of scenes of Protestant martyrdom. The collection was later expanded.


Building

The original home of the library was in a small purpose-built two storey crenellated building formed by adding two walls to a concave corner on the north-east end of
St Peter's Church, Barnstaple St Peter's Church is the parish church of the town of Barnstaple in North Devon, England. Parts of the church date to the 13th-century with much restoration during the Victorian era by George Gilbert Scott and later by his son John Oldrid Scott wh ...
, to form a rectangular building. A stone tablet is set high into the wall inscribed: ''Bibliotheca Doddridgiana 1667''. Its entrance is from the narrow lane known as "Church Walk" which leads southward from "Butchers' Row" past the east end of the parish church and continues as "Church Lane" past the "Church Lane Almshouses". It is a
grade II* listed In the United Kingdom, a listed building or listed structure is one that has been placed on one of the four statutory lists maintained by Historic England in England, Historic Environment Scotland in Scotland, in Wales, and the Northern Irel ...
building.


Removals

The Dodderidge collection was removed in 1888 to the North Devon Atheneum (now home to the
Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon is a local museum covering the history and culture of the North Devon area and which is located in The Square in Barnstaple in Devon. The displays range from prehistoric times to the Victorian era. The bui ...
) and from there in 1957 on permanent loan to
Exeter University , mottoeng = "We Follow the Light" , established = 1838 - St Luke's College1855 - Exeter School of Art1863 - Exeter School of Science 1955 - University of Exeter (received royal charter) , type = Public , ...
Library.


References


External links


Exeter University Library Catalogue, Dodderidgian Library volumes
{{Authority control Libraries in Barnstaple Libraries in Exeter University of Exeter 1667 establishments in England Dodderidge family