Grote Collection

The second, historically, of the Library's major collections, the library of George Grote (1794-1871), classical scholar, politician, banker by profession and Vice-Chancellor of the University of London, was bequeathed to the University in 1871. The collection comprises 7,500 items, mainly Greek and Latin classics and works on Greek and Roman history and archaeology, but also books and pamphlets relating to political and philosophical issues of the day and to Grote's role in the early history of the University.

Additions were bought by his widow and with a donation from Sir Julian Goldsmid of £1,000 for the purchase of Greek and Latin books. Along with the De Morgan Library, Grote's library was one of the foundation collections of the Senate House Library, and as the working library of an active scholar proved in important element in creating a broad based university library. The Collection was dispersed throughout the Library stock, providing the bedrock on which subject collections were developed.

Details of George Grote's life can be found in an article by Joseph Hamburger in the ODNB and in the account by Harriet Grote (his wife) in The Personal Life of George Grote , first published in 1873.

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