The King's Library was one of the most important collections of books and pamphlets of the Age of Enlightenment.[1] Assembled by George III (r.1760–1820), this scholarly library of over 65,000 volumes was subsequently given to the British nation by his son, George IV. It was housed in a specially built gallery in the British Museum from 1827 to 1997 and now forms part of the British Library.[2] The term "King's Library" was until recently also used to refer to the gallery in the British Museum built for the collection, which is now called the "Enlightenment Gallery" and displays a wide range of objects relating to the Enlightenment.[3]
- ^ British Library, George III Collection: the King's Library accessed 26 May 2010
- ^ Mandelbrote, Giles; Taylor, Barry; et al. (eds.) (2009). Libraries within the Library: the origins of the British Library's printed collections. London: British Library. ISBN 9780712350358.
- ^ British Museum, Enlightenment Gallery: Room 1, accessed, 3 February 2012]