By Emma Laws, Cathedral Librarian
When I began volunteering in the Cathedral Library on my return to Devon in 2018, I came across a booklet entitled, The Library and Archives of Exeter Cathedral. First published in 1956, with a second edition in 1967, and subsequent editions in 1974, 1985, 2004 and 2009, it serves as an introduction to the history of the Cathedral Library and Archives from its foundation in the 11th century to modern times. Of course, historians and archaeologists are continually making discoveries about the Cathedral, but the booklet remains a useful summary of the Library’s major donors and donations and gives an idea of its superb collections.
The booklet was co-authored by former Cathedral Archivist, Audrey M. Erskine, and former University Librarian and Cathedral Librarian, L. J. Lloyd. (Until 2001, the University was responsible for staffing the Cathedral Library and the University Librarian was ex officio Cathedral Librarian.) Sunday (1 June) is the 50th anniversary of John Lloyd’s passing in 1975 and it seems fitting for one Cathedral Librarian to reflect a little on the achievement of another.
John Lloyd was University Librarian from 1946 to 1972. In this photo, taken at a public event by the Western Times Co. Ltd, Lloyd is displaying the Cathedral Library’s most precious book, the Exeter Book. He seems to have been my kind of librarian – a true bibliophile who was passionate about manuscripts, rare books and fine bindings. Frank Barlow, Professor of History at Exeter University from 1953 to 1976, said of him, ‘He loved books and bought them indefatigably!’
Lloyd was a generous benefactor of the University Library; a gift of about 130 antiquarian books – known as the Lloyd Collection – remains in the University Library’s special collections. The Cathedral Library has a beautiful 15th century book of hours, donated by Lloyd’s widow, Vera. Lloyd was also a keen supporter of the Friends of Exeter Cathedral; his obituary in the Friends’ 46th Annual Report describes his keen involvement:
‘He early joined the Friends of the Cathedral, became a member of the Council and … also served for a number of years on the Diocesan Advisory Committee on the Care of Churches… Lloyd had a talent, almost a genius, for friendliness, and the news that he ‘had smiled, and said goodnight and gone to rest’, brought genuine grief to the very wide circles of his acquaintance’.
John Lloyd’s funeral was held at the Cathedral on 6 June 1975. His widow, Vera, died on 19 May 1992 and her funeral was held at the Cathedral on 28 May. The ashes of both John and Vera are interred at the Cathedral and their memorial stone can be visited in the north range of the Cloisters.
Image: Copyright Western Times Co. Ltd, Exeter