Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Newcastle Uni Special Collections & Archives @ncllibspeccoll.bsky.social · 14h

#Discover this original leaf from Johannes Gutenberg's 15th century Bible, which influenced book history and the religious landscape.

Find out more: digitalshowcase.ncl.ac.uk/showcases/gu... #DigitalShowcase

2

Newcastle Uni Special Collections & Archives @ncllibspeccoll.bsky.social · 1d

Explore curated insights across our unique and distinctive collections — from a 17th century recipe book to a WWI surgical logbook.

Discover our new Digital Showcase and uncover the stories behind the collections: digitalshowcase.ncl.ac.uk #DigitalShowcase

2 3

Newcastle Uni Special Collections & Archives @ncllibspeccoll.bsky.social · 5d

This month's @exploreyourarchive.bsky.social
theme is #EYAMonsters

Read about the spooky alleged 1890s haunting of Ballechin House near Perth in Scotland, and the book detailing it's unexplained phenomena, on our blog:

blogs.ncl.ac.uk/speccoll/202...

[Ref. Clarke-Misc-437]

1 1

Newcastle Uni Special Collections & Archives @ncllibspeccoll.bsky.social · 6d

Did you know our collections of poetry books and archives span nearly 400 years, from the 17thC to the present day?

Here are two pages from a 1656 poetry collection by William Drummond.

Find the whole book on CollectionsCaptured: collectionscaptured.ncl.ac.uk/digital/coll...

#NationalPoetryDay

2 9

Newcastle Uni Special Collections & Archives @ncllibspeccoll.bsky.social · 7d

We’re saddened by the passing of poet Tony Harrison, whose ground breaking work V. sparked national debate for its uncompromising language and honesty.

Explore our Bloodaxe collections relating to his life and work: specialcollections.ncl.ac.uk/informationo...

1 1

Newcastle Uni Special Collections & Archives @ncllibspeccoll.bsky.social · 8d

We are deeply saddened by the passing of architect & alumnus Sir Terry Farrell. He worked with us to provide a home for his globally significant archive, curated for the benefit of researchers & practitioners. We are proud to help preserve this legacy for the enjoyment & education of all #WeAreNCL

Newcastle University @newcastleuni.bsky.social · 9d

We're deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Sir Terry Farrell, architecture graduate and long-standing friend and supporter of Newcastle University.

#WeAreNCL

A portrait of Sir Terry Farrell with the Farrell Centre building in the background. Text states "His legacy extends far beyond the buildings he designed. As a mentor, author, and advocate for thoughtful urbanism, Sir Terry inspired generations of architects and planners. His contributions to education and urban discourse will continue to shape the future of architecture and city-making for years to come."

1 1 5

Newcastle Uni Special Collections & Archives @ncllibspeccoll.bsky.social · 12d

New to Newcastle this academic year?

Explore the history of the relationship between University and city through an examination of social data and development in our current exhibition "Town and Gown on the Tyne".

Open on Level 2 of the Philip Robinson Library until early November.

1 5

Newcastle Uni Special Collections & Archives @ncllibspeccoll.bsky.social · 14d

Explore digitised manuscripts, notes & correspondence from the Peter Dickinson Archive on CollectionsCaptured.

Dickinson (1927–2015) was an award-winning poet & novelist, celebrated for his children’s books & crime fiction collectionscaptured.ncl.ac.uk/digital/coll...

3 5

Newcastle Uni Special Collections & Archives @ncllibspeccoll.bsky.social · 15d

Calling all @newcastleuni.bsky.social MA & PhD students: apply now for the Robinson Bequest Core Collections Bursaries (£3,000 each + hands-on Special Collections experience).

Deadline: 26 Sept. Apply now👉 bit.ly/4gdjs2C #NCL

2 3

Newcastle Uni Special Collections & Archives @ncllibspeccoll.bsky.social · 21d

A selection of material from The a-n Archive is now live on #CollectionsCaptured 📸

Spanning 40+ years of the UK’s largest artists’ network, it’s a treasure trove of artist-led practice, publications & advocacy. Dive in 👉 collectionscaptured.ncl.ac.uk/digital/coll...

1 4

Newcastle Uni Special Collections & Archives @ncllibspeccoll.bsky.social · 23d

Hidden amongst Gertrude Bell's diary entries are some pressed flowers attached to each page, collected whilst travelling between 1897-1900 #discover

collectionscaptured.ncl.ac.uk/digital/coll...

[image ref: GB/2/6]

Bell (Gertrude) Archive

Page 21. First page of a diary entry for Wednesday the 12th of January. Includes two pressed flowers attached to the page.

collectionscaptured.ncl.ac.uk

5 35

Newcastle Uni Special Collections & Archives @ncllibspeccoll.bsky.social · 27d

This month's @exploreyourarchive.bsky.social theme is #EYAEduction

Here are some images of students busy learning in our seminar rooms in the 1960s.

For any new students joining next week we can reassure you that the dress code and tech have moved on in the last 60 years!
[NUA/03688 and 037020]

photograph of a group of students sat around a desk in a seminar room in 1965.

Photograph of a group of students stood around a map on a desk in a seminar room in 1965.

Photograph of a group of students sat around a table in a seminar room in 1965.

Photograph of students at desks in a seminar room in 1968.

2 6

Newcastle Uni Special Collections & Archives @ncllibspeccoll.bsky.social · 28d

📢@newcastleuni.bsky.social Masters & PhD students!
Apply for 2 x Robinson Bequest Bursaries (£3k each).
👉 Gain Special Collections & Archives experience
👉 Boost skills & employability
Deadline: 26 Sept 2025
Apply: www.ncl.ac.uk/library/special-collections/robinson-bequest-core-collections-bursaries/

4 3

Newcastle Uni Special Collections & Archives @ncllibspeccoll.bsky.social · Sep 8

📚 Celebrate #InternationalLiteracyDay with the Booktrust Collection — a treasure trove of children’s books & research inspiration: specialcollections.ncl.ac.uk/booktrust

Explore stories that shape imaginations & champion literacy for all.

Booktrust Collection - Newcastle University Special Collections and Archives

In the 1970s, Book Trust (now Booktrust) and Arts Council Great Britain (now Arts Council England), recognising that Britain is a world leader in c...

specialcollections.ncl.ac.uk

2 2

Newcastle Uni Special Collections & Archives @ncllibspeccoll.bsky.social · Sep 4

As we're now feeling quite autumnal and a new season's crops begin to be planted here's a poem about ploughmen and the importance of their labours from our Broadside Collection.

[Ref: Broadsides/1/2/15]

Title of The Painful Plough and small ink illustration of a ploughman at work.

The second part of "The Painful Plough".

2 2

Newcastle Uni Special Collections & Archives @ncllibspeccoll.bsky.social · Sep 2

As September arrives so do falling leaves, autumnal vibes and the start of a new season for those farming the land. Here's a poem by Walter Crane recounting the seasonal sentiment of this time of year.

From Renascence - one of only 350 copies and part of our Rare Book Collection. [Ref:RB-821-8-CRA]

Frontis piece of Renascence by Walter Crane.

1

Newcastle Uni Special Collections & Archives @ncllibspeccoll.bsky.social · Sep 1

On #WorldLetterWritingDay here is the earliest letter in our archive written by prolific letter writer Gertrude Bell, written when she was just 8 years old.

This is one of over 1,400 of Gertrude's letters we've digitised that you can now explore on our Gertrude Bell website: gertrudebell.ncl.ac.uk

Second page of a letter written by Gertrude Bell, writing about a visit to the circus.

First page of a letter written by Gertrude Bell in March 1878. She writes about her dolls.

2 3 5

Newcastle Uni Special Collections & Archives @ncllibspeccoll.bsky.social · Aug 28

Alongside campus life and our buildings our university photographers also regularly snapped the work of researchers.

While their work was no doubt important its often difficult for us to work out what exactly is being researched, here are just 3 examples from our UniArchive. #ThrowbackThursday

Photograph of electrical equipment on a table in a lab.

Photograph of experiment using glass pipes on a table in a lab.

Photograph of a complex network of pipes and equipment on a table in a lab.

2 4

Newcastle Uni Special Collections & Archives @ncllibspeccoll.bsky.social · Aug 26

Happy #InternationalDogDay!

Dogs were longstanding companions of generations of the Trevelyan family of Wallington Hall, so we've pawed through the virtual versions of our Trevelyan Family photo albums to find these 4 adorable pics of Tokyo, L.C., Chin, Rapture and Careless.

[Ref. CPT/PA/1 and 3]

Photograph of 3 dogs sat on a bench in 1899 - being told to sit still by Gertrude Bell!

Chin showing off on their hind legs on the Wallington Lawn.

4

Newcastle Uni Special Collections & Archives @ncllibspeccoll.bsky.social · Aug 22

Does anyone have any bank holiday weekend plans?

60 years ago in August 1965 these students put on their best clothes and attended a fun looking dance in the Student's Union.

Find more photos of University life on CollectionsCaptured: cdm21051.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/coll...

[ref. NUA/039343]

Young people dancing in the Students' Union in August 1965.

Groups of young people sat at tables with drinks in the Students' Union.

Group of young people sat at a table in the Students' Union in August 1965.

1

Reposted by Newcastle Uni Special Collections & Archives

RLUK Research Libraries UK @rluk.ac.uk · Aug 19

🟠 #RLUKICIL | Towards equity & inclusion through special collections & archives | 20 Oct

This seminar will hear case studies from @ncllibspeccoll.bsky.social @leedsunilibraries.bsky.social @ucllccos.bsky.social on how collections & archives help research libraries meet EDI goals

🎟 bit.ly/RLUKICIL

4 6

Newcastle Uni Special Collections & Archives @ncllibspeccoll.bsky.social · Aug 20

📸 A grand 19th-century photograph album featuring portraits, sweeping landscapes, and iconic sites — including Eastnor Castle and Lady Eastnor herself. Have a flick through online on #CollectionsCaptured cdm21051.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/coll...

Layard (Sir Austen Henry) Archive

Front cover.

cdm21051.contentdm.oclc.org

2

Newcastle Uni Special Collections & Archives @ncllibspeccoll.bsky.social · Aug 19

🚧Essential upgrade in progress🚧
Our online catalogue is being updated today. You can still search & browse our collections online, but requesting archive items will be paused until after 2pm. Book collection requests are unaffected.
Browse online: specialcollections.ncl.ac.uk

Collections Guide - Newcastle University Special Collections and Archives

Browse all our unique and distinctive collections, including searching by keyword and subject.

specialcollections.ncl.ac.uk

1

Newcastle Uni Special Collections & Archives @ncllibspeccoll.bsky.social · Aug 18

From battleships to liners, Armstrong, Whitworth & Co. built giants of the sea.
This album of 68 photos captures shipyard life, sea trials & shipyard visits & launches from a golden age of shipbuilding.
Dive in on #CollectionsCaptured collectionscaptured.ncl.ac.uk/digital/coll...

Marine Technology Special Collection

The vessel is seen on the River Tyne passing Neptune Yard.

collectionscaptured.ncl.ac.uk

1 5

Newcastle Uni Special Collections & Archives @ncllibspeccoll.bsky.social · Aug 15

#ICYMI In Case you missed our latest blog post - Did you know we have books bound in the 15thC by 'The Demon Binder' and 'The Dragon Binder' in our collections?

If you're wondering who they are or how they got their names this blog post is for you:

blogs.ncl.ac.uk/speccoll/202...

Front cover of a book bound by the Demon Binder. Ref.BAI-1478-DUN.

2 4