Discover the hidden stories of the women who shaped Trinity Hall’s historic law collections with our latest blog post: “Women Behind the Law Books in Trinity Hall’s Old Library.”
👉 oldlibrarytrinityhall.wordpress.com/2026/03/06/w...
#WomenInHistory #TrinityHall #OldLibrary #WomenInLaw
The word "Sikhi" on a blue and yellow background
A smiling man wearing a turban stands in a library next to a book display on Sikhism
Happy World Book Day! Find our more about our latest student book curation project on Sikhi, which is now in the library: www.instagram.com/reel/DVgID5q...
Books wrapped in brown and hearts wrapping paper with Love Hearts sweets beside them.
To celebrate Valentine’s Day and Love Your Library Week, we’re repeating our much‑loved Blind Date with a Book! There's a diverse range of titles so their should be something for everyone.
We’ve even added some sweet treats to make your date extra special!
A black woman, wearing a white top and black trousers, stands against a red-brick wall, smiling broadly. She is holding a copy of "A Girl is a body of water"
Our first student curation project of the academic year is from Tiffany Apaa on "African Women in Literature". You can see the selected books on Tiffany's display in the Library entrance hall and in the accompanying LibGuide: libguides.cam.ac.uk/trinityhall/...
Professor Clare Jackson signing a copy of her book, 'The Mirror of Great Britain'.
The front cover of the book, 'The Mirror of Great Britain'.
Books of the year in 2025 📖
Congratulations to Fellow Professor Clare Jackson, whose most recent publication, 'The Mirror of Great Britain', has been featured in The Financial Times, The Times and History Today, as one of the best history books of 2025.
Two girls look at rare books on a table. Medieval style lecterns are visible in the background
Several people are looking at items in the Old library
We enjoyed welcoming members of Trinity Hall this week to explore one of Britain’s few remaining chained libraries.
These visits are a special opportunity, as the Old Library does not have regular opening hours. Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped bring this historic space to life!
A bride and groom sit on chairs in front of a tall bookcase of old books
A bride and groom stand in front of a tall bookcase of old books
We were delighted to welcome Ligia and Adam for a special visit to the Old Library on their wedding day! ❤️
Wishing them a lifetime of love, laughter, and library visits!
Call for papers for "Hall Histories: a Trinity Hall journal". Picture of Loggan plan of Trinity Hall Cambridge from 1690.
Call for Papers — "Hall Histories: A Trinity Hall Journal" is accepting submissions for our new scholarly journal!
We're looking for original work that explores Trinity Hall’s history and material culture.
📩 Send your proposals or questions to: hallhistories@trinhall.cam.ac.uk
Congratulations to all our graduands! It was lovely to welcome over 200 visitors to the Old Library on their graduation day.
👑🦴 Poisoned Kings & Crook Backs? Dive into the world of 16th-century scandal, rumour, and royal reputation with our latest blog post! 📜✨
We’re taking a closer look Trinity Hall’s fascinating armorial manuscript: oldlibrarytrinityhall.wordpress.com/2025/06/20/p...
A ginger and white cat relaxes in the garden
Relaxing after your exams? Don't be Silly and forget to return all your library books!
🎓 Graduands!
A quick reminder to return all library books by Tuesday 17th June.
Avoid any last-minute stress before graduation—check your shelves and return your books on time! 📚✨
Title page of the Life of pope sixtus the fifth (1754)
Engraved drawing of pope Sixtus the Fifth. He is seated, wearing a cassock and hat. He has a beard
While we wait for the white smoke that signals the election of the new pope, why not read our latest blog post?
It looks at a fascinating 18th century book in our collection: "The Life of Pope Sixtus the Fifth" by Gregorio Leti which describes the drama of the conclave!
Behind the Smoke: A Glimpse into a Papal Election from the Past
As I write, the world awaits the moment when white smoke rises from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel—a centuries-old signal that a new pope has been elected. The papal conclave remains one of the most secretive and ritualised…
A smiling young woman sits on a riverside wall holding a selection of Korean books
A smiling young woman stand beside a book display containing a selection of Korean novels and language guides
Our final student curator is Saffron Willett (MPhil Korean Studies). Her project "Korea in Print" highlights Korea’s cultural rise, inspired by Han Kang’s Nobel win.
Check out the book display and books in the library or online libguides.cam.ac.uk/trinityhall/... #StudentCurator #KoreanLiterature
A young woman with dark hair is smiling while holding a book entitled "Naked pen". She is in a garden with a tall tree in the background
Congratulations to Trinity Hall Architecture student Sam Elbahja on the publication of her first book of poetry, "Naked Pen" (New Generation Publishing, 2025).
It will soon be available to borrow from the Jerwood 🎉
Christ rides a donkey through a crowd. A man spreads a cloak on the ground before the donkey, while others cut palm branches.
This image from an early 15th-century manuscript (Trinity Hall, MS12) depicts Christ’s entry into Jerusalem, a scene from the Christian tradition often celebrated on Palm Sunday (the Sunday before Easter).
A young woman with glasses and dark hair tied back stands outdoors in sunlight, smiling gently. She is wearing a light gray sweatshirt and blue jeans, holding a colorful book titled The Healing Arts: The Arts Project at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.
Book display with paper flowers
Yaning Wu (a PhD student in public health and primary care) is our next student curator! Texts in her book display “Arts in health” may be of special interest to students of health and healthcare & anyone who is curious about improving their wellbeing using tools outside of traditional medical.
Bridgtower's story was beautifully brought to life by Professor Victoria Avery (Lead Curator of the Rise Up exhibition at the Fitzwilliam Museum) and Professor Nicole Cherry (Assistant Professor of Violin at the University of Texas). Nicole was accompanied on piano by Dr Wayne Weaver.
Charles Hague (1769–1821) was a violinist, composer, and Professor of Music at the University of Cambridge. His book was acquired in 2019.
Hague and his musical family were close friends of George Bridgtower.
Three people stand around an old manuscript in a historic library setting with wooden bookshelves filled with leather-bound books in the background. The person on the left, wearing a black and white plaid shawl, leans in to examine the book. The person in the center, wearing glasses and a black outfit, gestures animatedly while speaking. The person on the right, wearing a navy blazer and floral blouse, listens intently with her hand resting on the table. The book is placed on a white cushion, suggesting careful handling of the historical document.
Three people stand together in a warmly lit historic room. The man on the left, wearing a dark suit and black turtleneck, stands with a relaxed posture. The person in the middle, wearing a plaid shawl and a beige outfit, has a bright smile. The person on the right, dressed in a navy blazer over a floral blouse, also smiles warmly. The background features wooden reading stalls with carved finials
Ahead of last night’s incredible talk on the music virtuoso George Bridgtower (1778-1860) and his Cambridge connections, we welcomed the co-presenters and performers to the Old Library for a special visit! They explored our book of music sonatas once owned by Charles Hague (1769–1821)
Man in grey hoodie stands next to a book display called the Blue continent
The first Trinity Hall student curation project is now live in the Jerwood! We were lucky to have final-year Politics and Anthropology student, Jack (seen here with his display) 'The Blue Continent'.
An accompanying webpage links to all the curated resources: libguides.cam.ac.uk/trinityhall/...
Flights by Olga Tokarczuk. Comment "As well as being the perfect travel book. Flights draws on a broad range of sources for inspiration, frequently referencing philosophical texts and ideas and presenting them in formats more relevant to today's society"
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro. Comment: "Powerful and moving, interesting perspective on grief and healing, and it explores how far someone can go for someone else"
Maurice by E.M. Forster. Comment: "A queer staple with a much needed happy ending, and is ahead of its time. The book and how it was published is an advocate for equal rights in itself."
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. Comment: "It brings a fresh but totally authentic take on Ancient Greece."
Happy World Book Day! Why not read some of the great books nominated by the Trinity Hall community?
A man stands next to a wooden lectern on which he looks at an open book on the sloping top shelf. More books are on the shelves below.
The Old Library at Trinity Hall contains some of the oldest library furniture in Cambridge, dating to the 1580s.
Each bookcase has a pair of lecterns, with a sloping shelf on which to read the book.
Law Professor Campbell McLachlan is shown trying out one of the lecterns on his visit today.
Poster reads: Feedback. Tell us what you think about the Jerwood Library!. Survey closes Sunday 9th March
We want to hear from you! Do you have a few minutes to complete our questionnaire about the Jerwood Library?
You’ll also be in with a chance to win a £30 Amazon voucher! Check your email for the survey link, or scan the QR code on one of our posters.
The closing date is Sunday 9th March
Pile of 3 books of the favourite books on a wall next to the river. The Trinity Hall logo is visible in the background
The votes are in and Trinity Hall's favourite book is Jane Austen's romantic classic 'Pride and Prejudice'.
The runner-up is Emily Bronte's 'Wuthering Heights'.
Two modern contenders tied for third place: Ishiguro's 'Klara and the Sun' and Sally Rooney's 'Normal People'. #favouritebooks
What have these books all got in common? They were all nominated by members of Trinity Hall as a book they love. Voting has begun for the overall favourite, and the winning book will be announced on Friday!
Page from almanac records: “Married at St Martin’s Ironmonger Lane between 8 and 9 o’clock in the Morning – and set out from thence to Dover and Paris with my dear Husband and honored Uncle & Parent Mr Alderman Boydell.”
Love is in the air in our copy of "Rider’s British Merlin for the year of our Lord God 1787". This entry tells of a marriage between Mary Boydell (1747-1820), a renowned beauty, and George Nichol. You can read more about it on our blog: oldlibrarytrinityhall.wordpress.com/2013/02/11/t...
Red background with paper hearts containing details of books
Happy Valentine's/Library Lover's Day!
Take a heart and write down one book that you love. ❤️
We'll be buying selected titles for the library, and you can vote next week to decide on Trinity Hall's favourite book.
#libraryloversday #valentinesday
Open book of Sappho's poetry by Johann Christian Wolf published in 1733 showing the frontispiece.
Sappho (c. 600 BCE), famed as the "Tenth Muse," wrote lyrical poetry on love, often for women. The word 'lesbian' comes from the name of her home, the island of Lesbos
Here is the frontispiece of our 1733 edition of Sappho's poetry by Johann Christian Wolf #LGBTHistoryMonth
Display of books on LGBT+ topics with very bright covers, in front of striped multicoloured fabric
You can't miss our new display for LGBT+ History Month! #lgbthistorymonth
