Beginning in 2025, a collection of early modern books acquired by David Galbraith (Professor Emeritus, English) is being added in stages to a dedicated cabinet in the CRRS Library for patrons to consult. All students and researchers are invited to explore the volumes in this collection without making a special appointment.
"This collection emphasizes classical authors, humanist philological and historical scholarship, and Renaissance antiquarianism. It explores the transformative impact of humanism on the curricula of schools and universities, and its influence on the professions of medicine and law. It points to the role of scholars from Petrarch to Joseph Scaliger in recovering and editing classical texts. Some books show early archaeologists and numismatists interpreting the material culture of the ancient world; others, scholars engaged in debates over its civic institutions and social practices. The collection also casts light on the reception of Greek culture in western Europe, and on the circulation of humanist research, in formats ranging from large-scale library editions to small pocket-sized anthologies."
— Professor David Galbraith
To learn more about the collection, watch our video interview with Professor Galbraith. A list of books currently available for consultation in the Library can be found here and a complete catalogue of the full collection can be found here. Patrons wishing to consult a specific volume should contact crrs.rarebooks@utoronto.ca.