Overview

Thomas Anthony Birrell (1924-2011) was a man of many parts. For most of his working life he was Professor of English Literature in the University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands, where he was famous for his lively, humoristic and thought-provoking lectures. He was the author of some very popular literary surveys in Dutch, one of which - a history of English literature - has had seven editions so far. However, first and foremost he was a bibliographer and a book historian. The present collection contains fifteen of his book-historical articles, two reviews and one published version of a lecture for the illustrious ’Association Internationale de Bibliophilie’. The lecture - with a wealth of illustrations - about the British Library as the ’Custodian of the Unique’ gives one a sense of Birrell’s ability to present an audience with a complicated topic in comprehensible, but not simplified, terms. The reviews serve as a statement of principle of how to tackle the subject of ’English readers and books’ and the standards that ought to apply. The articles demonstrate Tom Birrell’s in-depth knowledge, dedication and scholarship. He once said that he felt that he could have talked to the 17th-century London booksellers on an equal footing and his work convinces one that they would have enjoyed these conversations. Aspects of Book Culture was edited by Birrell’s former pupil, colleague, friend and fellow-bibliographer Jos Blom.

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9781409455691

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Reviews

'For those who had the pleasure and privilege of knowing Tom Birrell, this book will serve as reminder of his quintessence; for those who did not know him, here is the best possible introduction to a man of massive learning, infinite wit and great humanity, and also to a variety of approaches to book culture .' Publishing History 'The volume prints eighteen essays and reviews [that] show [Birrell] not only as an historian of collections, readers, and libraries, but also as one who was alert to subjects that have now assumed considerable interest.' Library & Information History 'This book should be compulsory reading for all young people embarking on careers in the antiquarian book trade, rare-book librarianship, or the history of the book; for older hands there will be no need for compulsion: its charms, rewards, and enviable invention will make it irresistible.' Book Collector

'For those who had the pleasure and privilege of knowing Tom Birrell, this book will serve as reminder of his quintessence; for those who did not know him, here is the best possible introduction to a man of massive learning, infinite wit and great humanity, and also to a variety of approaches to book culture .' Publishing History 'The volume prints eighteen essays and reviews [that] show [Birrell] not only as an historian of collections, readers, and libraries, but also as one who was alert to subjects that have now assumed considerable interest.' Library & Information History 'This book should be compulsory reading for all young people embarking on careers in the antiquarian book trade, rare-book librarianship, or the history of the book; for older hands there will be no need for compulsion: its charms, rewards, and enviable invention will make it irresistible.' Book Collector

Author Information

T.A. Birrell (25 July 1924 - 22 May 2011) was Professor of English and American Literature at Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands and historian of the Old Royal Library. Jos Blom teaches English at Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

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