Women in Wolfson's rare books collection

Karen Spärck Jones, a Fellow of Wolfson from 2000 until her death in 2007, was a computer scientist whose concepts are considered to be the basis for how the modern internet search engine works. She was also a bibliophile, and donated 200 rare books, printed before 1900, to the College, which are stored in the Library basement.

Very few books in the collection are about or were written by women, but those that are had fascinating lives: an actress, philanthropist, evangelist, educator, cookery writer, lady’s maid and dramatist. This new exhibition gives you the opportunity to explore what we know about the books’ authors and their works.