Leeds General Infirmary Library (1768-1865)
Details
Type of entity: Organisation
Name: Leeds General Infirmary Library
Date commenced: 1768
Date of death: 1865
Source of information: Leeds University Special Collections
Profile
The Leeds General Infirmary was founded in 1767. Its Library was set up a year later in 1768, originally formed for a medical society set up by the surgeon William Hey (1736-1819). Early members paid a subscription fee which went towards the purchase of books, but many were also donated. The Board of the Leeds General Infirmary later provided money for the Library in 1785.
In 1865 the Library was presented to the library of the Leeds School of Medicine. The School was opened in 1831; it merged with the Yorkshire College of Science in 1884 and in 1904 this became the University of Leeds. The library of the School of Medicine is now part of Special Collections.