When Queen Elizabeth I took the throne in 1558, the Bodleys returned to England, and Thomas immediately took a place at Magdalen College, Oxford. He earned his B.A. degree in 1563 (age eighteen), and one year later became a Fellow of Merton College. In that post, he became a lecturer for the college, specializing in Ancient Greek, and served the university in a number of posts - including as a junior proctor and a public orator - until 1576, when he was granted the opportunity (and funds) to study abroad throughout France, Italy, and the Holy Roman Empire. During this time, he added a number of languages to his resume, and conferred with various scholars - sure to bring back to Oxford valuable experience from which to continue teaching.
Perhaps his most notable idea (and one that particularly resonates with me, as a former student of the University of Oxford), was an agreement made between the library and the Stationers' Company of London, in which 'the Company agreed to send to the Library a copy of every book entered into their Register on condition that the books thus given might be borrowed if needed for reprinting, and that the books given to the Library by others might be examined, collated and copied by the Company.' This vital agreement made the library the first 'legal deposit' library (now one of six throughout the UK and Ireland) - meaning that it must receive a copy of every book published throughout England and registered with the Stationers' Company - ensuring that there would be no shortage of books for future students of Oxford. This, of course, required additional space for the library - which already housed around 2,500 books, largely because of Thomas's collection efforts. Between 1610-1612, he planned and financed an addition on the east end of the library, now known as Arts End.
Another tradition - perhaps started by Bodley, and still maintained by the library today - was that no books should be lent to readers. Instead, students of the university and scholars from around the world should enjoy the use of the scholarly materials inside the library only. (The future King Charles I would even be refused the request to borrow a book).
The Bodleian Library's expansions continued for decades following Thomas Bodley's death - including the planned Quadrangle (built by 1619, and continuing on until at least 1624), as well as another extension of Duke Humfrey's Library (known as Selden End), between 1634-1637. Work on the library certainly didn't end in the 17th century, but this is likely where Thomas Bodley's plans came to an end. The coming centuries would see additions like the Radcliffe Camera (1737-1748), though it was originally not a part of the Bodleian. Throughout the years, the library's system of buildings, collection of books, and various other scholarly artifacts and materials would grow to result in one of the world's most esteemed and prestigious places of learning. I, for one - having studied there between 2012-2015, can say that it is one of the most impressive aspects of the University of Oxford, not to mention an incredibly atmospheric, beautiful, and inspiring place to study. Oh, and I never had trouble finding any of the books I needed for my studies, thanks to that handy Stationers' Company agreement.
- Wikipedia: Thomas Bodley, Duke Humfrey's Library
- Bodleian Library Website (www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk)