george iii library british museum Royal Collection books book london
King’s Library was the original name applied both to the British Royal Collection of over 60,000 books and to the room in the British Museum that housed them. The books were transferred to the new British Library in 1998, and the room has now been restored to its original glory as one of London's finest and most beautiful neo-Classical interiors. Impressive as it is, the King’s Library, with its magnificent interior and fascinating objects, combine to make a scene of sheer beauty, stimulating to the imagination as well as to the senses. The King’s Library is considered one of the most significant collections of the Enlightenment, containing books printed mainly in Britain, Europe and North America from the mid-15th to the early-19th centuries. The collection was especially rich in classical literature, British and European history, English and Italian literature, religious texts and in examples of early printing, which include include a copy of the Gutenberg Bible and Caxton's first edition of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. The origins of the library date to what was called the Old Royal Library, which was the library of the English monarchs since Richard III. At first it contained only official manuscripts, but starting with Prince Henry, son of James I, sovereigns started to add books to the library (Prince Henry bought books on his own private income). After his death the library became the property of Charles I. It was first housed in St. James's Palace, then moved in 1708 to Ashburnham House. After a fire in 1721, it was moved in another place in Westminster School. It was made public in 1757 by George II, and housed in the Montagu House, the original location of the British Museum after its foundation in 1753[ At that date the library contained approximately 15000 volumes, but it was mainly made of scattered collections of books, stored in various places. It was George III who devoted himself to building a worthy Royal collection under the guidance of hi
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