Book Collections | Information Services | Queen's University Belfast

Special Collections holds a variety of book collections grouped according to donator, collector, subject area or time period. They date from the 15th century up to the present day and cover such topics as history, literature, language, politics, science, religion, theology and philosophy.

The majority of books are held in our secure Store and can be requested on arrival. Readers are advised to check the catalogue or below lists for author, title and classmark details. Reference books and current issues of journals are located in the Special Collections Reading Room.

Access to rare books must be arranged in advance and is restricted in the evenings and weekends. If you are a non QUB card holder you must also register to visit the McClay Library.

Adam Smith Collection

Access a listing of the Adam Smith Collection here. **Not on Library Catalogue**

General collection of monographs etc from the surviving personal library of the 18th century philosopher and economic theorist, Adam Smith (1723-90). The majority of titles relate principally to Greek and Latin classics and date mostly from the 18th century.

The collection does, however, include a number of early works from the 16th and 17th centuries, of which can be found some particularly fine bindings. Notable items include a 1546 edition of the Marsilius Ficinus translation of Plato and four folio volumes of Aristotle's complete works, c 1728. The collection also includes a few additional items of more recent date (19th century) acquired by Smith's descendants.

Collection Level Description
Antrim Presbytery Collection
Access a listing of the Antrim Presbytery Collection here. **Not on Library Catalogue**

Collection of theological, philosophical and literary works ranging from the 16th to 18th centuries, maintained and accumulated by the Presbyterian congregations in Belfast and Antrim, 1765-1873, for the purposes of local intellectuals and Presbyterian ministers.

In addition to items on theology, philosophy and religion, the collection is notable for its material on the classics, civil and ecclesiastical history and politics. The majority of these titles date from before 1800. Items of later date (19th century) include mainly published sermons and addresses produced locally.

Collection Level Description
Asia Collection
Access the catalogued Asia Collection here. Denoted by the prefix Asia.

A collection of titles primarily published in the 19th and first half of the 20th century relating to China, Korea and Japan. Denoted by prefix Asia/ on the catalogue.
Belfast & Northern Ireland Directories
Access the catalogued Belfast & Northern Ireland Directories here.

A useful family history resource, our collection of Belfast and Northern Ireland Directories begins in 1865 and ends in 1995. As detailed on the catogue there are some missing issues. As well as containing names of individuals and businesses they contain numerous business advertisements. Most directories have details for Belfast and for the principal towns and villages in Ulster.
Belfast Medical Library
Access a listing of the Belfast Medical Library here. **Not on Library Catalogue**

The Belfast Medical Society (1806-1818 & 1822-1862) had established a lending library for its member by 1826. The complete collection of its 16th and 17th century works on medicine were presented to Queen's University in 1915 and 1916. They were originally housed in the Medical Library but were transferred to Special Collections in 2009. The present collection also contains medical books from the 18th and 19th century.

Bunker Collection

Access the catalogued Bunker Collection here. Denoted by the prefix Bunker/.

A collection of books bequeathed by Gerald E. Bunker. He provided the first transcription of the Hart diaries and was the author of 'The Peace Conspiracy: Wang Ching-wei and the China War, 1937-1941'.
Daly Collection
Access the catalogued Daly Collection here. Denoted by the prefix Daly/.

Cardinal Cahal Daly (1917-2009) bequeathed his entire personal library to Queen's in 2009. It is a collection of ten thousand books, journals and pamphlets, mostly of theological, philosophical, and Irish historical and cultural interest.

The Cardinal Daly Seminar Room on the First Floor of the McClay Library also contains a bust of Cardinal Daly and four Charles McAuley oil paintings also kindly donated by him.
Early Economics Collection
Access the catalogued Early Economics Collection here. Denoted by the prefix e.

A collection of works of early economic theory and philosophy dating from the 17th to the late 19th century.
Early 19th Century Collection
Access the catalogued Early 19th Century Collection here. Denoted by the prefix ww.

A collection of books dating from 1801 to 1850.
Early Printed Books
Access the catalogued Early Printed Books Collection here. Denoted by the prefix y.

A collection of 16th and 17th century books and pamphlets which includes 20 incunabula, 267 STC and 1430 Wing items.

Eighteenth Century Collection

Access the catalogued Eighteenth Century Collection here. Denoted by the prefix w.

General collection of 18th century books and pamphlets. The collection relates to a wide variety of subject areas representative of the interests and pre-occupatons of writers of this period and the collecting concerns of QUB library. History, politics, religion, language and literature are all well represented within.
English Experience Collection
Access the catalogued English Experience Collection here. Denoted by the prefix EE.

The English experience: its record in early printed books published in facsimile.
Foster Pamphlets
Access the catalogued Foster Pamphlets here. Denoted by the prefix w DA943 FOST.

Collection of 18th century pamphlets, magazines and reports etc. compiled by John Foster, Baron Oriel (1740-1828), last Speaker of the Irish House of Commons. An important and unique assemblage of materials, the collection was assembled by Foster during his years of high political office in both the Irish and British Houses of parliament.

The main focus of the collection concerns the major political pre-occupations of the day, including Parliamentary Reform, Catholic Relief, trade and manufacture, the Act of Union and the state of the Irish nation. Economic affairs is, however, a particular strength of the collection reflecting Foster's own political priorities and interests (he saw economic prosperity as a cure for Irish discontent) with material on the relief of the poor, banking and coinage, agriculture and industry, taxation and tithes all well represented. In addition to political affairs in Ireland, commentary is also provided on the debates concerning the progress of the American War of Independence, the French Revolution and British politics in general. Social matters are also touched on with examples of 18th century poetry, satire and drama to be found throughout the collection. Primarily published in English and from printing houses across the British Isles, the pamphlets are bound into volumes and classified under such general headings as 'Politics', 'Agriculture', 'American States', 'Sermons', 'Tythes and Popery', 'Regency 1789' etc etc, as originally arranged by Foster during his lifetime.
Gibson Books
Access a listing of the Gibson Books here. **Not on Library Catalogue**

A small collection of books compiled by the prodigious Scottish book collector Andrew Gibson (1841-1931). The books generally concern Scottish songs and poetry from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Many are written by or concern Robert Burns.
Harty Collection
Access the catalogued Harty Collection here. Denoted by the prefix Harty/.

A collection of published full and part scores to a range of orchestral and choral pieces composed or arranged by the composer and conductor Sir Hamilton Harty (1879-1941). The collection includes the following titles: Symphone in D (Irish), The Children of Lir, The Blue Hills of Antrim and A la Campagne for Oboe and Orchestra.

Hibernica Collection (formerly Henry)

Access the catalogued Hibernica Collection here. Denoted by the prefix h.

The Hibernica Collection is a substantial collection of monographs, periodicals and pamphlets of general Irish interest and/or origin, being strongest in history and literature.

Officially established in 1929 with a deposit of 1000 volumes from the personal library of R.M. Henry (Professor of Latin at Queen's, 1908-38), the collection is constantly growing and now represents the largest single subject division in Special Collections. It includes such treasures as the 3 Irish Bog Reports, a full set of Griffith's Valuations and comprehensive series of major Irish periodicals such as Irish Historical Studies, Irish Ecclesiastical Record and the James Joyce Quarterly. All subjects relating to Ireland and Northern Ireland are covered including, in particular, history, politics, literature, philology, economics, society and culture.
MacDouall Collection
Access the catalogued MacDouall Collection here. Denoted by the prefix MacD.

Collection of general literature, Sanskrit and comparative philology from the personal library of Charles MacDouall (1818-1883), first Professor of Latin at Queen's College, Belfast (1849-50) and second Professor of Greek (1850-78).

The collection includes material relating to Classical, Eastern and Middle Eastern languages, and comparative philology, principally from the first half of the 19th century.

The collection also includes examples of tradtional folk talkes and ballads from a variety of countries, and numerous dictionaries, primers and other general works.
Moore Collection
Access the catalogued Moore Collection here. Denoted by the prefix Moore/.

A collection of Thomas Moore (1779-1852) ephemera, offering an near-complete coverage of his work with particular emphasis on variant editions, issues and states of the Irish Melodies as well as Lalla Rookh.
O'Rahilly Collection
Access the catalogued O'Rahilly Collection here. Denoted by the prefix O'Rahilly/.

A number of books collected and sometimes authored or annotated in by the distinguished Celtic Scholar, T.F. O'Rahilly (1883-1953). The main focus of the collection is Irish culture and language. It includes a number of texts which study the language, its various dialects and grammar.

The texts are in Irish and English, many in old Irish script. There is also a focus on the history of Ireland, it's poetry and song, and ancient Irish folklore.

Scots Gaelic, Welsh and Breton are also featured in the collection. Topics in these books again range from ancient folklore, poetry and song to the study of these languages.

Authors include: T. F. O'Rahilly, James Hardiman, Rev. John Healy, Dr. Douglas Hyde, Tomás Ó Máille, Philip Bocht O Huigginn and Duncan MacIntyre.
Percy Collection
Access the catalogued Percy Collection here. Denoted by the prefix Percy or Percy Pamph.

The almost intact 18th century library of the author and antiquarian, Thomas Percy (1729-1811), Bishop of Dromore, Co. Down. Described at one time as the finest library in private hands in Ireland.

The collection contains monographs, bound volumes of pamphlets and some manuscripts relating principally to English Literature (especially 16th and 17th century verse, Shakespearean controversies, ballad poetry), Gaelic and northern poetr and antiquities, and popular metrical and prose romances of Europe.

The collection also reflects Percy's membership of Samuel Johnson's 'Literary Club' by including association or presentation copies from Johnson himself, Oliver Goldsmith, Edmond Malone, George Steevens, et al. Percy annotated his books extensively, one of the most interesting of which is a copy of the 3rd edition (1775) of his own work, 'The Reliques of Ancient English Poetry.' A unique item in the library is the earliest known English Gesta Romanorum (Deeds of the Romans), printed by Wynkyn de Worde during the early 16th century.

Queen's Staff Collection

Access the catalogued Queen's Staff Collection here. Denoted by the prefix 5Z.

Published books and pamphlets authored by staff at Queen's University Belfast.
Reading Room Collection
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A collection of reference books displayed in the Special Collections Reading Room.
Reid Collection
Access the catalogued Reid Collection here. Denoted by the prefix Reid/.

A collection of books donated by the Gilbert family (via Professor Brian Carraher). The books were originally bequeathed by Forrest Reid (1975-1947) to Stephen Gilbert (1912-2010).

Simms Medical Collection

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A distinguished library of early medical works and medical history belonging to Dr. Samuel Simms (1894-1967) of Belfast.
Special Collections Collection
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A collection of books which support research of Special Collections manuscript collections.
Special Publications/ Limited Edition Collection
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Fine or rare publications (19th century and later).
Wright Collection
Access the catalogued Wright Collection here. Denoted by the prefix Wright/.

Books and pamphlets compiled by Dr. Stanley Fowler Wright (1873-1953), Commissioner of Customs and Personal Secretary of the Inspector General of the Chinese Maritime Customs, Sir Robert Hart (1835-1911).