Friday 29 July 2011

Unlocking the code

If you've been inspired by Marcus du Sautoy's BBC2 series on nature's mathematical code, you may be interested in our web feature on Newton's Principia.

Newton's Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica, or Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy, is widely recognised as one of the most significant works of science ever published. Chetham's Library has a first edition, and you can read more about it here.

Wednesday 20 July 2011

John Dee Special!

Our 101 Treasures of Chetham's series this week features material relating to the sixteenth-century scholar and warden of the College, John Dee. The success of the opera Doctor Dee at the recent Manchester International Festival has created enormous interest in the life and work of this extraordinary man, who spent a decade in Manchester in the last years of his life. Read more on the website.

Friday 15 July 2011

Attic Nights

Our 101 Treasures of Chetham's series looks this week at the Noctes Atticae, or Attic Nights, of Aulus Gellius, a commonplace book which was later owned by Matthias Corvinus (1443-1490) and bound in Buda by his own bindery in a stunning red goatskin. Learn more here.

Wednesday 13 July 2011

Chetham's Library on The Culture Show


Damon Albarn's opera Doctor Dee has now reached the end of its run as part of the Manchester International Festival and has received almost universal acclaim, not least from members of Library staff, some of whom enthusiastically attended more than once. The opera is an extraordinarily beautiful and mesmerising visual spectacle brought to life by an outstanding musical score, and you can read reviews of the production here and here. The show is due to launch the London 2012 Festival, so if you didn't manage to see it this time round, we strongly recommend that you get down to the London Coliseum next June.

Chetham's Library is one of the stars on tonight's (Wednesday 13th June) Culture Show on BBC2 at 7pm, which is broadcast from the Manchester Festival and includes an interview with Damon Albarn, filmed at the Library. If you miss it, don't forget you can watch it again on BBC iPlayer.

A short video on the BBC website can be found here, featuring Damon Albarn and Rufus Norris discussing the work of John Dee, and Chetham's Librarian Michael Powell makes an appearance on a Guardian video about Doctor Dee which can be found here.

Friday 1 July 2011

Designation's what you need...

We're really proud to have been awarded Designation Status by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council. The award is for the entire holdings, which distinguishes them as a collection of national and international importance, and reflects good working practice and excellent service. You can read more about the award on the website.