Rare Books and Maps

List of book and map collections

The University of Exeter Library's print collections are of regional and national significance, featuring several Devon parish libraries, including Crediton, Barnstaple, Totnes and Ottery St Mary, the Hypatia collection of women's history, the Syon Abbey Library, and John Betjeman's working library. Several smaller book collections, like the A.L.Rowse, Henry Williamson, and Jack Clemo book collections, were deposited at the library with archival papers.

For a guide to the book collections by subject see our Subject Resources pages. You can search the our book collections on the library catalogue. Select Special Collections from the drop down menu to search for books and maps held in Special Collections.

Please click on the links to find further information on each collection.

Baker Collection

A collection of popular 20th century sheet music.

John Betjeman's Library

Sir John Betjeman (1906-1984), poet laureate: working library of Sir John Betjeman strong in architectural titles and poetry.

Cartography Collection

Collection of historic maps and atlases, including Ordnance Survey maps and WW2 silk 'escape' maps.

Chris Brooks Collection

The Chris Brooks Collection of Victorian Culture.

Jack Clemo Collection

Jack Clemo (1916-1994), poet: a selection of books from his library.

The Constable Map Collection

A collection of about 90 historical maps, chiefly seventeenth- and eighteenth-century English maps, including Devon and Cornwall.

Crediton Parish Library

Crediton Parish Library: a large collection of chiefly sixteenth to eighteenth-century books, including a substantial collection of non-conformist pamphlets, transferred from the parish of Crediton.

Lois Deacon Collection

Lois Deacon (d1984), critic and novelist: a collection of her books relating to Thomas Hardy, poet and novelist.

Dodderidge Library (Parish Library of Barnstaple, Devon)

Barnstable Parish Library: a collection of chiefly sixteenth to eighteenth century books transferred from the parish of Barnstaple.

David Edmund Collection of Local History

David Edmund: a collection of local Westcountry history publications, strongest in its representation of East Devon in the mid-twentieth century.

Exeter Law Society

Exeter Law Society's library of old and rare law books.

Fox Collection

A small collection of books on Quaker subjects.

Hughan Collection

A small collection of books on religious themes.

Hypatia

A rich and diverse collection of books and journals by or about women collected by Melissa Hardie, chiefly nineteenth- to twentieth-century.

Lloyd Collection

An attractive collection of fine bindings and illustrated books, chiefly of the 18th century, collected by former University Librarian, John Lloyd.

Ottery St Mary Library

Ottery St Mary Parish Library: a collection of chiefly sixteenth- to eighteenth-century books transferred from the parish of Ottery St Mary.

Eric Partridge Collection

A collection of books relating to the work of lexicographer Eric Partridge (1894-1979), collected by his editor Paul Beale. Contains books owned and annotated by Partridge.

Rare Books

A rich collection of pre-1700 books, owned by the Library.