THE ORIGINS AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COTTON COLLECTION AT THE BRITISH LIBRARY (ROEBUCK-U22AHRCCDP)

The library put together by Sir Robert Cotton (1571-1631) and his descendants was once described as 'the most important collection of manuscripts ever assembled in Britain by a private individual'. It contains more than 1,400 medieval and early modern manuscripts and over 1,500 charters, rolls and seals, among them items of international heritage significance, such as the Lindisfarne Gospels, Beowulf and two engrossments of the 1215 Magna Carta. This collection was perhaps the most important single means by which pre-Reformation textual culture was preserved: it became a repository of memory and a site of nation-making. It was also the engine which powered seventeenth-century antiquarianism, underpinning a myriad of projects -- editorial, narrative, polemical. However, the origins of the library -- how and why it was assembled -- remain tantalisingly obscure. Its development and usage over the course of the seventeenth century, too, as the library moved from private possession to national collection, also offers huge opportunities for fresh research into the history of antiquarian scholarship and its religio-political ramifications (building on the pioneering work of Colin Tite). This CDP offers the successful applicant a unique opportunity to produce a ground-breaking piece of research into the origins or development of the Cotton collection which is rooted in close study of Cotton's manuscripts themselves at the British Library, and with specialist support from both UEA academics and BL curators. Hands-on experience at the British Library and training opportunities both there and at UEA will make this CDP an ideal springboard to careers in academia, libraries, or heritage. 

Research questions might include:

• Where, when, and how, did Robert Cotton (and his descendants) acquire the manuscripts that make up the Cotton collection?
• How did Robert Cotton shape his collection, whether in his choice of manuscripts to preserve or in his compilation of manuscripts into volumes? And how did other things he collected - coins, stones, printed books - complement his manuscripts?
• To what extent is the Cotton library distinctive, compared to other libraries assembled in Europe at the same time, and what characteristics does it share with similar contemporary collections? 
• Is there any evidence that women had access to the Cotton library or made donations to it? 
• How was the library used in Robert Cotton's lifetime, and how did its usage change and develop over the course of the seventeenth century? What kinds of scholarly projects did it inspire? 
• How was the library used to intervene in contemporary political debates? And how was the library itself shaped by the political and religious controversies of the seventeenth century?
• How did the collection come to be regarded as a national library? 
• What role did Cotton's library play in the development of the idea of Britain's 'middle ages' or its national identity?  

Applicants should ideally have or expect to receive a relevant Masters-level qualification, or be able to demonstrate equivalent experience in a professional setting. Suitable disciplines may include, but are not limited to, English Literature, History, Art History, Classics, Modern Languages, and Library and Information Science. 

Applicants must be able to demonstrate an interest in the library sector and both potential and enthusiasm for developing skills in related areas. 

There is no expectation of prior experience of working with manuscripts, or competency in a language other than English (although willingness to learn a relevant language (e.g. Latin) may be desirable).

NB. All applicants must meet UKRI terms and conditions for funding.

This studentship project has been selected for funding by the Museums and Archives Consortium through the AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership.

Eligible full-time candidates will be considered for a 3.75 year PhD studentship, extendable for up to 4 years. The stipend will be paid at standard UKRI rates as a minimum.

CDP doctoral training grants fund full-time studentships for 45 months (3.75 years) or part-time equivalent. The grant includes funding to support student development activities to help the student extend their wider skills portfolio and improve their career prospects. In addition, the studentship has the possibility of being extended for up to an additional 3 months to provide further professional development opportunities.

The award pays tuition fees up to the value of the full-time home UKRI rate for PhD degrees. Research Councils UK Indicative Fee Level for 2022/2023 is £4,596. UEA has agreed to waive the fee difference for international students.

The award pays full maintenance for all students, both home and international. The UKRI National Minimum Doctoral Stipend for 2022/2023 is £16,062, plus a CDP maintenance payment of £550/year, plus a London-partner allowance of £1000/year.

Further details can be found on the UKRI website.

The student is eligible to receive an additional travel and related expenses grant during the course of the project courtesy of the British Library worth up to £1000 per year for 3.75 years (45 months) -- a total of £3750. 

The project can be undertaken on a full-time or part-time basis. As this studentship is offered as a Collaborative Doctoral Partnership project, students will be expected to spend time at both UEA and the British Library.