John Leland (c. 1506-52), the topographer, graduated from Christ's College, Cambridge, and in 1530 was appointed keeper of the King's library. Under a royal commission he travelled widely through England and Wales in 1535-43, just before the Reformation. His notes are therefore of especial value, and preserve many memoranda of buildings and libraries which soon after perished. Further details are given in the Dictionary of National Biography.

Leland's manuscripts consisting of:

• 'Johannis Lelandi Londinensis, Antiquarij doctissimi et gravissimi Collectanea. Ex varijs authoribus, chronologis, manuscriptis, archivis, cartis antiquis, monumentis publicis et privatis excerpta, et in quatuor volumina digesta...' vols. 1-4
• The Itinerary of England and Wales, by John Leland, vols. 1-8

MSS. Top. gen. c. 1-4 passed at Leland's death to Sir John Cheke, from him to Humphrey Purefoy, whose son Thomas gave them to William Burton in 1612.

The manuscripts were presented to the Library by William Burton in 1632 and 1642-3.

Entry to read in the Library is permitted only on presentation of a valid reader's card (for admissions procedures see http://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/services/admissions/).

Falconer Madan, et al., A summary catalogue of western manuscripts in the Bodleian Library at Oxford which have not hitherto been catalogued in the Quarto series (7 vols. in 8 [vol. II in 2 parts], Oxford, 1895-1953; reprinted, with corrections in vols. I and VII, Munich, 1980), vol. II, nos. 3117-23.

Leland | John | c 1506-1552 | Antiquary

Great Britain | Topography