Bringing the Bards Home: The Campaign to Save the Honresfield Library
“Once in a generation, a collection of books and manuscripts appears from almost nowhere that is met with a mixture of awe and stunned silence, followed by concerted action to bring it into public ownership.”
- John Scally, National Librarian
The fact that the Honresfield Library has not been seen for almost a hundred years suggests that its contents are unimportant. This could not be further from the truth – for this is an unrivaled collection of original works by the country’s literary giants. But the manuscripts of Austen, Burns, the Brontës, and Scott are at risk of being sold into private hands and rendered inaccessible to the public once more.
The National Library of Scotland, as a member of a nationwide consortium, proposes an alternative scenario, in which the works of Scotland’s most celebrated writers are saved for the nation. The American Patrons of the National Library and Galleries of Scotland is spearheading the campaign in North America and is calling on all those with a love and passion for Scotland, its culture, and heritage to pledge their support.
Credit card gifts may be made from this page. If you would prefer to mail a check, please send it to us at:
American Patrons of the National Library & Galleries of Scotland
31 West 34th Street, 7th Floor #7010
New York, NY 10001
Thank you!