For me, the most romantic (with a small r) book in the Rare Books Collection is an edition of the great scholar Erasmus’ translation of the New Testament into Latin from the original Greek. Erasmus first published his translation of the New Testament in 1516, one year after Hugh Oldham signed the foundation papers for this school. The book was part of a movement towards making the Bible more accessible that was sweeping through Europe, not without criticism and controversy. This edition was published in 1522, and quite how it came to Manchester, we do not know – but we can have fun making some guesses. At the top of one page quite near the front, is inscribed the name “Hugh Beswyke”. In other words, it seems very likely that this particular book was owned or at least read by one of our founders, the Hugh Beswyke mentioned in the Founders’ Prayer. Our founders knew and presumably approved of the new learning, and were investing in it as they looked after the well-being of the fledgling school which they had financed.
All books create a link between two people, author and reader, but this book does more. I cannot ever meet or speak to Hugh Beswyke, but I teach in his school and have seen his signature in this book, and those two scribbled words have made me think about his intentions and ideals more than 24 Founders’ Day services. I find I am glad that he owned this book, because for me it stands for the excitement of the Renaissance, the intellectual curiosity and the willingness to push at old boundaries. It reminds me that while studying a subject may lead to passing exams, more importantly it may lead to a lifetime of discovery. And that of course is what is behind our motto sapere aude, “dare to be wise”.
Fiona Forsyth
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