The greatest donor [of manuscripts] was the founder’s nephew, Robert Fleming, Dean of Lincoln, a man of conspicuous taste and culture… His princely gift, including many classical and humanistic works, made Lincoln’s holding momentarily the finest in Oxford, second only to that of the University Library itself. – Vivian H.H. Green – The Commonwealth of Lincoln College, 1427-1977, pp.173-4.

Flemyng’s donation of manuscripts was the single most substantial gift to the College Library, and many remain in Lincoln’s ownership today. These manuscripts are the jewel in the crown of Lincoln’s collection and the foundation of Lincoln College as a scholarly entity. Five of these manuscripts will be available to view in an exhibition after the talk.

Dr Rundle is an intellectual and cultural historian of the Renaissance across Europe. He is a member of the History Faculty, University of Oxford, an Honorary Lecturer at the University of Essex, and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. He is also co-author (with Ralph Hanna) of A Descriptive Catalogue of the Western Manuscripts to c.1600, in Christ Church, Oxford and has a monograph forthcoming with CUP, The Renaissance Reform of the Book and Britain.

We do hope you will join us for a rare opportunity to see and learn about some of the College’s greatest treasures.