Mankind’s Greatest Libraries

Published September 14, 2012
Updated November 7, 2023

The written word has captivated the human mind for millennia -- a fascinating historical and photographic look at history's greatest libraries.

Greatest Libraries In History

Source: Westga

Mankind’s Greatest Libraries: The Bodleian, United Kingdom

Bodleian Library

Source: Blogspot

If you want access to this seminal European library, you must agree to a formal declaration. While the “Bud’s” roots can be traced further than its oft-cited 1602 founding, Oxford University’s Bodleian Library has a heritage as rich as its book collection.

Bodleian Library Oxford

Source: Xaxon

Oxford University Library

Source: IESA Abroad

Library of Celsus, Turkey

Library of Celsus

Source: WordPress

The Library of Celsus was once home to approximately 12,000 scrolls and the tomb of the Roman senator for which the building was named. An unfortunate by-product of natural disasters, all but the facade of the library was burned to the ground in the year 262. In its heyday, the library was considered the third richest library of its kind.

Celsus Library Mankind's Greatest Libraries

Celsus Library

Source: TinyPic

author
Savannah Cox
author
Savannah Cox holds a Master's in International Affairs from The New School as well as a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, and now serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Sheffield. Her work as a writer has also appeared on DNAinfo.
editor
Savannah Cox
editor
Savannah Cox holds a Master's in International Affairs from The New School as well as a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, and now serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Sheffield. Her work as a writer has also appeared on DNAinfo.