The Gallery of Benefactors commemorates gifts to the Library and those who gave them. Visitors to the University in the 17th and 18th centuries record having seen donated collections on separate shelves in the Library with their donors' names inscribed gold above them in gold.

Duncan Macmillan, Director of the Talbot Rice Gallery, recalls that

'On 1st August 1863 the Senatus set up a committee to report on
the best mode of commemorating benefactors. It was chaired by Sir David Brewster and reported on February 6th the following year. Their idea was to build up the portrait collection by actively canvassing for portraits, not just of benefactors, but of the whole historical community of the University since its foundation. They were even prepared if necessary to pay for them "by taking a small amount annually from the different benefactions."'

Today in the 21st century, it is important that gifts of books and manuscripts are placed in the Library where they can be best used and looked after. This often means giving donated volumes special bookplates to commemorate their donors, and shelving them among other volumes on the same subjects so that they will readily be found by Library users. The Gallery of Benefactors recreates the spirit of how the University used to be able to celebrate its benefactors and their gifts. It combines pictures and words to display portraits of donors themselves or, where portraits are not available, images of the gifts themselves. Where appropriate, the Gallery provides links to other Web pages that give further information on the collections, including lists where these have been compiled.

We hope that you enjoy your visit to the Gallery of Benefactors, and that you will wish to return in the future. New benefactors are added from time to time. If you have any comments, suggestions or enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us