One that got away

Gilbert Genebrard (1537–1597)
Chronographia in duos libros distincta
Paris: Martin Iuvenem, 1567

The dispersal of Knyvett’s books after the death of his great-great-grandson led to their being found in numerous private and institutional collections, and David McKitterick has undertaken extensive research to locate many of these. The Chronographia was given to Peterborough Cathedral in 1722 by Sub-Deacon Joseph Sparkes, as noted on the title page. It rejoined at least some of its shelf-mates in 1970 when the Peterborough collection was deposited at the University Library. As well as the Peteborough inscription, the title page also bears Knyvett’s favourite Italian motto, ‘Più fa tempo che forzza’, translated loosely as ‘Time is more fruitful than force’.

Peterborough.B.6.27

Thanks to his habit of adding his name to the title pages of many of his books, and also to the shelf-marks written in the back of many of his books, Knyvett’s volumes are easily identifiable. Detailed research by David McKitterick has looked closely at the manuscript catalogue of Knyvett’s library (also shown within this exhibition theme) in conjunction with modern library records to trace the current locations of many of his books. These include the Bodleian Library, Trinity, Pembroke and St John’s Colleges in Cambridge, Shrewsbury School, and the Folger Shakespeare Library.

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