| |
| | [EMLS 5.2 (September, 1999]: 9.1-9 Review of Sir Robert Cotton as Collector |
 | | Indeed, his willingness to share items in his keeping resulted in some losses, a peril to which any collection not strictly policed is exposed (even today); given two catastrophic fires as well (Ashburnham House, 1731, and Sir Anthony Panizzi's House, 1865) it is remarkable that so much has survived. |
 | | Given to the care of Sir Thomas Cotton (his son), and then to that of Sir John Cotton (Sir Robert's grandson), the material was left as a gift to the country by the latter, and the manuscript work represents a major treasure within the British Library's present holdings. |
 | | Here, too, is a really vivid outline of the efforts of Sir Frederic Madden in his attempt to assess the collection and to ascertain its needs, of his terrible setback with the Panizzi house fire (with more damage), his resignation, and the more recent work with respect to conservation. |
| www.chass.utoronto.ca /emls/05-2/goochrev.htm (1321 words) |
|