IRELAND'S oldest public library is crowdfunding to preserve three historic books in its collection, including one of Isaac Newton’s most significant scientific works.
Marsh’s Library in Dublin, unchanged since it was founded in the early eighteenth century by Archbishop Narcissus Marsh, houses more than 25,000 rare books.
Once frequented by Bram Stoker, Jonathan Swift and James Joyce, the library has been open since 1707, and has books dating back to the 1400s.
Isaac Newton's Philosophiae Naturalis Principia workThe library has now launched a fundraising appeal for the conservation work of three of its most important books, including a first-edition of Isaac Newton's Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica, dating back to 1686.
Newton's Principia was the work in which he discussed his famed law of gravitation and laws of motion, and is considered one of the most historically significant scientific works ever written.
The second work is a volume of John Milton theses dating from 1644, which includes copies of his works such as Of Education, The Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce, and the Areopagitica - one of the earliest defences of the right to a free press.
Lastly, the library wants to protect a volume of debates on the use of astrology in political matters, dating from the early 1600s, including a work by the English academic John Chamber.
So far, Marsh Library has raised €1,315 (£950) of its €3,115 (£2,250) target.
You can make a donation here
