Each year the Bridwell Library hosts three exhibitions. The exhibitions attract everyone from students and faculty to members of the library executive board. The first exhibit of the year, titled “Christian Writers and Their Readers,” displays a vast array of rare books from within the SMU Library collection.
However, this display differs from previous exhibits. Instead of focusing on the actual author of the book, attention is drawn to past readers and owners of the manuscripts. The display asks the viewer to notice the physical evidence of institutional and personal ownership. Signs of readership include specific binding and a coat of arms. Some books even contain annotations and inscriptions from the original owner.
The history of books is the history of its writers, but more importantly its readers.
“We must try to discover who before us was reading the book and how they were reading them,” said Curator Eric White.
One of the exhibit’s treasures includes “The Confessions of St. Augustine,” once owned by Peter Williams, an influential leader of the Methodist denomination. Another jewel, “The Life of St. Claire,” dated 1496, is one of two known manuscripts.
Several books in the exhibit are not the original manuscripts, but rather hand copies made by scribes. Many books also contain a “pointer” in the margin. A pointer is a tiny red hand with its index finger pointing to a notable passage in the text.
The exhibition begins with essential works by the church fathers and the central authorities of later medieval theology, and continues with popular guides to personal piety, core arguments by the Protestant Reformers, expressions of Counter-Reformation spirituality and important texts by English authors that inspired early Methodist readers.
The exhibition takes visitors through the books chronologically, building on the works by those deeply involved in church theology.
The exhibit aims to give viewers a deeper understanding of the history of Christian devotion and education. The exhibition runs now through Dec. 14 and is free for all.
