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Cambridge University Library

28 September 2024 – 22 February 2025Endless Stories: Manuscripts, knowledge and translation in the 17th century

In 1632, Cambridge University Library was transformed by an extraordinary collection of manuscripts in a dazzling array of languages, including Arabic, Hebrew, Persian and Malay. Collected by a visionary thinker, Thomas Van Erpe, and on display for the first time, these unique items and the stories they tell shine a light on a 400-year-old quest for knowledge through the languages of the world.

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Past Exhibitions and Displays

murderbythebook

Murder by the Book: A Celebration of 20th Century British Crime Fiction

Celebrating the richness of twentieth century British crime fiction through a creative lens, from its origins to contemporary best sellers.

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footlights

The Footlights Illuminated

Who are ‘The Cambridge Footlights’, anyway? A new exhibition explores the history and identity of the world-renowned student comedy group.

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Spitting image

Spitting Image: A Controversial History

Savage, grotesque, hilarious: explore Spitting Image, the puppet show that became an icon of 20th century television.

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Raymond Briggs: A Retrospective

Raymond Briggs: A Retrospective

Touring from the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration, this exhibition highlights a selection of the illustrator Raymond Briggs’ most significant works.

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darwin

Darwin in Conversation

Discover how Darwin’s global network of correspondents shaped his ideas around the evolution of life on planet Earth

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Samurai: History and Legend

Samurai: History and Legend

Samurai are a well-known image of Japan, but they are as much legend as history.

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Ghost Words: Reading the past

Ghost Words: Reading the Past

Medieval scribes used to recycle old books by scraping the parchment clean and writing a fresh text over the top.

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Samurai: History and Legend

Previous Exhibitions

Browse our past exhibitions: from the Great Collections to Lines of thought.

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Upcoming Events

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26 Nov
The Really Popular Book Club logo

BOOK CLUB | 26 Nov 7PM TO 8PM

The Really Popular Book Club: The Hitch-hikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Join us online with special guest, Dr Una McCormack.

6 Dec
Endless Stories logo on green

IN PERSON EVENT | 6 Dec 12PM TO 1PM

Introduction to Endless Stories 

Join one of Special Collections curators for a guided exhibition tour.

10 Dec
The Really Popular Book Club logo

BOOK CLUB | 10 Dec 7PM TO 8PM

The Really Popular Book Club: The Green Road by Anne Enright

Join us online with special guest, Jo Browning Wroe.