Thomas Traherne (1637-1674) was a religious poet and mystic. Details are given in the Dictionary of National Biography.

Four manuscripts by Thomas Traherne, consisting of:

• 'Centuries of meditations', with Traherne's corrections
• 'Meditations and devotions' on the festivals of the Church, including prayers and poems by Traherne and others (in Traherne's hand)
• The 'Dobell folio' containing poems by Traherne and a commonplace book of Thomas Traherne, mainly on ethical and religious subjects
• Notebook belonging to Philip Traherne, 1655, used mainly by Thomas Traherne

The manuscripts were bought from P.J. Dobell in 1952.

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/).

M. Clapinson and T.D. Rogers, Summary Catalogue of Post-Medieval Western Manuscripts in the Bodleian Library Oxford. Acquisitions 1916-1975. (Oxford, 1991), vol. II, nos. 46709-12.

See T. Traherne, Centuries, poems, and thanksgivings, ed. H.M. Margoliouth (2 vols., Oxford, 1958).

Poetry | 17th century

Theology

Traherne | Thomas | c 1637-1674 | Religious Poet and Mystic