Since the time of FW Maitland, founder of the modern discipline, the University of Cambridge has had an unparalleled international reputation for research in English legal history. We now have the opportunity to create in Cambridge a unique research library devoted specifically to English legal history.
The collection
Two substantial and complementary libraries of English legal history, belonging to the late Professor SFC Milsom and Professor Sir John Baker, will form the core of this collection, providing a vital resource for legal historians for generations to come. The combined libraries include hundreds of rare books, secondary literature, legal manuscripts and documents, as well as iconography and material culture relating to the history of English law.
However, these important materials do not yet have a permanent home. We are asking supporters of legal history across the globe to help us raise £4.5 million to endow the Centre, enabling us to preserve, maintain and grow this incomparable research facility. Securing the Centre’s future includes:
- £2 million to secure accommodation for the Library and Centre;
- £2.1 million to endow a Librarian post; the Librarian will oversee the cataloguing and conservation of the collections, purchase new material for the library and manage the Centre’s premises on a day-to-day basis;
- £350,000 to maintain the collections and preserve them in perpetuity; and
- £50,000 to endow the Centre’s IT requirements, including a dedicated website.
Recognition
We are hugely grateful to those who agree to support legal history by donating to the Centre and would be pleased to discuss appropriate naming and recognition opportunities.
For further information, please contact
Dr Neil Jones
Co-Director
Centre for English Legal History
University of Cambridge
t: +44 (0)1223 332833
e: ngj10@cam.ac.uk
www.celh.law.cam.ac.uk
Miss Clare Gordon
Development Associate – Faculty of Law
Cambridge University Development and
Alumni Relations
t: +44 (0)1223 762894
e: clare.gordon@admin.cam.ac.uk
www.cam.ac.uk/YoursCambridge