Rare Book Collections

NEWMAN COLLEGE RARE BOOK COLLECTION

History of the Collection

Newman College opened in 1918 with a ready-made collection of books, most of which were donated by William Bowditch, a Church of England clergyman and distinguished scholar. On his death in 1917, Bowditch bequeathed 10,000 items on mathematics, natural sciences and sociology to Newman College from his personal library.

By 1919, the library’s holdings had grown to 20,000 items with donations from the personal collections of Reverend Patrick O’Reilly (parish priest) and Father D. Kelly (classical theologian and philosopher). The donations comprised a Dante collection, literature, biography, classical texts and commentaries on Greek classics.

Scope of the Collection

The Newman College Rare Book Collection comprises nearly 5,000 items, published pre 1880.

How to access the Collection

The Newman Rare Book Collection is housed at Newman College in the Oratory, Law Library and Rector’s Lounge. Access to the Collection is restricted due to the age, uniqueness and value of the material. Items may be used by scholars and researchers on-site by arrangement with the Centre Director.

ST MARY’S COLLEGE RARE BOOK COLLECTION

History of the Collection

Many of the books in the St Mary’s Rare Book Collection belonged to the original library created by former College Principal Mother Francis Frewin (1894-1982) at St Mary’s Hall. Other books come from the former Loreto Abbey, Mary’s Mount at Ballarat.

Scope

The St Mary’s Rare Book Collection comprises 860 items, which include works of theology, literature, poetry, art, travel and history.

Also part of the collection are 44 books from Sir Redmond Barry’s private library. Redmond Barry was a colonial judge in Victoria, and was also the inaugural Chancellor of the University of Melbourne, serving from 1853 until his death in 1880. He was instrumental in the planning of the Melbourne Public Library and its contents. He was a regular purchaser of books for both professional and general interest, and at his death his personal library contained over 3,000 items.

Access

The St Mary’s Rare Book Collection is housed in the Loreto Room at St Mary’s College. Access to the Collection is restricted due to the age, uniqueness and value of the material. Items may be used by scholars and researchers on-site by arrangement with the Centre Director.

PETER STEELE COLLECTION

History of the Collection

The books held in the Peter Steele Collection were a donation from the estate of Peter Steele AM (1939-2012). An Australian Jesuit Priest, accomplished poet and Professor, Fr Peter Steele has strong ties to Newman College and the University of Melbourne.

He was a scholar in residence at Newman College and taught in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Melbourne for many years.  The Peter Steele Poetry Trust Fund is a permanent endowment from the University of Melbourne to honour Peter Steele's appreciation and accomplishments in poetical works. This appreciation is  reflected in the personal collection of Fr Steele, now held at the Academic Centre.

Scope

The Peter Steele Collection comprises over 700 items which include works on theology, literature, poetry and art. The collection holds 17 titles by Fr Steele, namely poetry collections, philosophical studies and autobiographical works.

Access

The Peter Steele Collection is housed in the St Mary's Newman Academic Centre. Items may be used by scholars and researchers on-site by arrangement with the Centre Director.

GERALD O'COLLINS COLLECTION

History of the Collection

The books held in the Gerald O'Collins Collection at the St Mary's Newman Academic Centre are either written or edited by Gerald O'Collins. During the course of his career as an Australian Jesuit Priest, Gerald O'Collins has had 82 books published.

Gerald O'Collins is an alumnus of Newman College and The University of Melbourne.

Scope

The collection is comprised of 51 books either written, co-authored or edited by Gerald O'Collins. The published works are on the subject of theology.

Access

The Gerald O'Collins Collection is housed in the St Mary's Newman Academic Centre. Items may be used by scholars and researchers on-site by arrangement with the Centre Director.