Pepys Library, Historic private library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, United Kingdom
Pepys Library is a historic private collection at Magdalene College housing over 3000 volumes in original oak bookcases. The books fill the first floor of the Pepys Building and remain arranged exactly as they were when first acquired.
Samuel Pepys left his entire collection to Magdalene College in 1703 with strict instructions for preservation. These rules established then remain in force today and have kept the library in its original form.
The collection contains personal writings and records that show how daily life unfolded in the 1600s. Visitors notice how these materials reveal the routines, concerns, and observations of an educated person from that era.
Visitors should contact the library beforehand to arrange a visit, as only small numbers can be accommodated at one time. Photography is restricted and requires special approval from the staff beforehand.
Books are organized by size rather than subject, creating unexpected pairings between completely different works on the shelves. This unusual arrangement is intentional and strictly maintained as it was originally set up.
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