Dodderidgian Library

The Dodderidgian Library (Latin: Bibliotheca Doddridgiana) was founded in 1667 in Barnstaple, North Devon, England, by Judith Dodderidge, third wife and widow of John Dodderidge (1610–1659) of Barnstaple and Bremridge,South Molton, MP. It represents one of the earliest town libraries in England which continues in existence since its foundation.

Dodderidge bequeathed his library to his 3rd wife Judith in the following last line of his will dated 20 January 1658:

In 1664 she gave or bequeathed the library to the Corporation of Barnstaple. The bequest was of 112 volumes, many of which were originally from the library of her husband's wealthy and prominent uncle Sir John Doddridge (1555–1628), of Barnstaple and Bremridge, MP and a Justice of the King's Bench, as evidenced by his signature in several of them. The collection became known as the Bibliotheca Doddridgiana ("Dodderidgian Library"). A special building was erected to house the books at the north-east corner of the external walls of the chancel of St Peter's Church, Barnstaple.

The books were chiefly in Latin on the subject of theology, and include most notably a 1610 edition of John Foxe's Book of Martyrs, containing a very well preserved illustration of scenes of Protestant martyrdom. The collection was later expanded.

The original home of the library was in a small purpose-built two storey crenellated building formed by adding two walls to a concave corner on the north-east end of St Peter's Church, Barnstaple, to form a rectangular building. A stone tablet is set high into the wall inscribed: Bibliotheca Doddridgiana 1667. Its entrance is from the narrow lane known as "Church Walk" which leads southward from "Butchers' Row" past the east end of the parish church and continues as "Church Lane" past the "Church Lane Almshouses". It is a grade II* listed building.

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