Royal Library, Windsor
Encyclopedia
The office of Royal Librarian, in the Royal Collection
Department of the Royal Household
of the Sovereign
of the United Kingdom
, is responsible for the care and maintenance of the royal collection of books and manuscripts owned by the Sovereign
in an official capacity, as distinct from those owned privately and displayed at Sandringham House
and Balmoral Castle
and elsewhere.
were consolidated. The office was only admitted to the Royal Household
late in the 19th century. John Glover, appointed in 1836, held office until 1860. Two Librarians dominated much of the twentieth century. They were Sir Owen Morshead GCVO (1926–1958) and Sir Robin Mackworth-Young GCVO (1958–1985).
The Librarian now has oversight of the Royal Library, Windsor, and the Print Room. The latter contains the royal collections of drawings and engravings. The Librarian organises exhibitions and loans, recommends purchases, and advises on publications on the royal library, print room and on the history of Windsor Castle
.
Oliver Everett
CVO
was Librarian, Royal Library, 1985–2002 (he was deputy librarian 1984–1985). During his tenure, a significant collection of contemporary Canadian Watercolours (Royal Collection Project - CSPWC) entered the Windsor Castle holdings. He is now Librarian Emeritus, Windsor Castle.
The current Librarian is The Honourable Jane, Lady Roberts
, LVO (Curator of the Print Room), appointed 2002. Previously since 1975 she had been only curator of the print room. Before the appointment of Lady Roberts the recent Librarians were not professional librarians, and relied upon the support of the Curator of the Print Room, and the Bibliographer
of the Royal Library, for professional advice with respect to their respective collections.
Royal Collection
The Royal Collection is the art collection of the British Royal Family. It is property of the monarch as sovereign, but is held in trust for her successors and the nation. It contains over 7,000 paintings, 40,000 watercolours and drawings, and about 150,000 old master prints, as well as historical...
Department of the Royal Household
Royal Household
A Royal Household in ancient and medieval monarchies formed the basis for the general government of the country as well as providing for the needs of the sovereign and his relations....
of the Sovereign
Monarch
A monarch is the person who heads a monarchy. This is a form of government in which a state or polity is ruled or controlled by an individual who typically inherits the throne by birth and occasionally rules for life or until abdication...
of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, is responsible for the care and maintenance of the royal collection of books and manuscripts owned by the Sovereign
Monarch
A monarch is the person who heads a monarchy. This is a form of government in which a state or polity is ruled or controlled by an individual who typically inherits the throne by birth and occasionally rules for life or until abdication...
in an official capacity, as distinct from those owned privately and displayed at Sandringham House
Sandringham House
Sandringham House is a country house on of land near the village of Sandringham in Norfolk, England. The house is privately owned by the British Royal Family and is located on the royal Sandringham Estate, which lies within the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.-History and current...
and Balmoral Castle
Balmoral Castle
Balmoral Castle is a large estate house in Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is located near the village of Crathie, west of Ballater and east of Braemar. Balmoral has been one of the residences of the British Royal Family since 1852, when it was purchased by Queen Victoria and her...
and elsewhere.
History
Although a Librarian was always required for any sizeable royal collection of books, the present office dates from 1836, when the then existing collections of books at Windsor CastleWindsor Castle
Windsor Castle is a medieval castle and royal residence in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, notable for its long association with the British royal family and its architecture. The original castle was built after the Norman invasion by William the Conqueror. Since the time of Henry I it...
were consolidated. The office was only admitted to the Royal Household
Royal Household
A Royal Household in ancient and medieval monarchies formed the basis for the general government of the country as well as providing for the needs of the sovereign and his relations....
late in the 19th century. John Glover, appointed in 1836, held office until 1860. Two Librarians dominated much of the twentieth century. They were Sir Owen Morshead GCVO (1926–1958) and Sir Robin Mackworth-Young GCVO (1958–1985).
The Librarian now has oversight of the Royal Library, Windsor, and the Print Room. The latter contains the royal collections of drawings and engravings. The Librarian organises exhibitions and loans, recommends purchases, and advises on publications on the royal library, print room and on the history of Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is a medieval castle and royal residence in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, notable for its long association with the British royal family and its architecture. The original castle was built after the Norman invasion by William the Conqueror. Since the time of Henry I it...
.
Oliver Everett
Oliver Everett
Oliver Everett, CVO, formerly Royal Librarian to the Sovereign of the United Kingdom.This office, in the Royal Collection Department of the Royal Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom, is responsible for the care and maintenance of the royal collection of books and manuscripts owned by...
CVO
Royal Victorian Order
The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
was Librarian, Royal Library, 1985–2002 (he was deputy librarian 1984–1985). During his tenure, a significant collection of contemporary Canadian Watercolours (Royal Collection Project - CSPWC) entered the Windsor Castle holdings. He is now Librarian Emeritus, Windsor Castle.
The current Librarian is The Honourable Jane, Lady Roberts
Jane, Lady Roberts
Priscilla Jane Stephanie, The Hon. Lady Roberts, CVO has been the Curator of the Print Room at Windsor Castle since 1975 and the Royal Librarian since 2002....
, LVO (Curator of the Print Room), appointed 2002. Previously since 1975 she had been only curator of the print room. Before the appointment of Lady Roberts the recent Librarians were not professional librarians, and relied upon the support of the Curator of the Print Room, and the Bibliographer
Bibliographer
"A bibliographer is a person who describes and lists books and other publications, with particular attention to such characteristics as authorship, publication date, edition, typography, etc. The result of this endeavor is a bibliography...
of the Royal Library, for professional advice with respect to their respective collections.