Better late than never! Earlier this month the Irish Times reported that Dublin’s Marsh Library received a 500-year-old medical textbook – 100 years after it was checked out. The antiquitous tome is the third volume in a series of five on the medical works of Galen, a Greek physician, philosopher and surgeon and was originally published in Basle, Switzerland in 1538. Marsh Library was Ireland’s first public library, built in 1701, so they’re accustomed to handling old books. But, according to Dr. Jason McElligot of the library, this find is “gold dust.”
The book in question had been part of the library’s collection since its founding. It is heavily marked with annotations and even has slips of paper held in place with a needle. The notes were made by Theodore Gulton, a 17th century English physician and previous owner of all the volumes, who had tried to improve upon Galen’s works by updating them and making the text clearer for students.
“In terms of scholarship and learning it is absolutely priceless,” Dr McElligott said. “What we have is a very important medic in the history of medicine working through his thoughts as he’s working through the work of Galen.”
Although Marsh is Ireland’s first public library, books have never been lent out, and Dr McElligott said a “significant” medical text like this would have been kept locked away even when it disappeared more than 100 years ago.
The man who returned the book said it had reached his junk shop following a clearance of a house in Dublin.
Dr McElligott said the library was very grateful to have the book back and described the man as a “complete gentleman and a scholar,” before adding, “What was particularly impressive is he declined all offers of a reward – all he wanted to do was do the right thing.”
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