Emeritus Professor of History, John A. Murphy recently donated his library to the University. Speaking at a reception to mark the occasion, UCC President, Dr Michael Murphy thanked John A. Murphy on behalf of the University for his kind gift. The Director of Library Services and Librarian, John FitzGerald also thanked John A. noting also his long commitment to and engagement with the Library.
To date the donation extends to approximately 200 volumes from John A.’s working library. These include: association copies, review copies, and recent research publications in Irish history, local history, social history, biography, and literary history.
Mr John FitzGerald noted that the Library was “very fortunate indeed to have been chosen as the repository for these materials as they represent the working tools of one of Ireland’s most distinguished - and sometimes controversial – professional historians.”
It is John A’s specific intention that these books be made readily available on the open shelves for students and readers in the Library, so that they too can have the opportunity to benefit from their use of the collection as he had. He further noted that, “there is in this gesture, a great sense of the teacher, and an understanding of the importance of opportunity in education that reflects itself in John A’s long career as a teacher and academic, and as someone who engages and has engaged at all levels of cultural life in and outside of “The College”. There is also in this gesture a manifest understanding and appreciation of the role of the Library as a place of opportunity and discovery for us all.”
Picture: Mr John FitzGerald, Director of Library Services and Librarian, Emeritus Professor John A. Murphy and Dr Michael Murphy, President, UCC.
