Institute of Historical Research Wohl Library

Picture of an open book on a red cushion. The inside cover and front page of a book. On the inside cover there is a bookplate stating Presented to THE INSTITUTE OF HISTORICAL RESEARCH by Miss E J Davis Bequest. On the front page there is handwritten text stating Miss Eliza Jeffries Davis from her fellow -Fellows Elsie V Hitchcock and R.W. Chambers, 19 March 1935.

Pictured here is her copy The Lyfe of Sir Thomas Moore, Knighte, written by William Roper, gifted to her in 1935 by some of her 'fellow - Fellows' at UCL. It is one of the approximately fifty books that came to the library in her bequest.

#WomensHistoryMonth #IWD #InternationalWomensDay

However, her roles within the IHR meant that large numbers of books in her collection, especially those on London (the subject of her research), were already featured in the library.

She was also both an honorary and acting librarian at various points in the early life of the institute. When she passed the IHR was given first pick of her books.

This Women's History Month and International Women's Day we're highlighting one of the most important women in the IHR's own history - Eliza Jeffries Davis. Jeffries Davis was a historian (and librarian!) who played a pivotal role in the founding of the IHR.

A selection of new items acquired by the IHR library in March 2026.

A selection of new items acquired by the IHR library in March 2026.

A selection of new items acquired by the IHR library in March 2026.

A selection of new items acquired by the IHR library in March 2026.

It's new books time again. You can view a selection of newly acquired items on the 1st and 2nd floors including a selection of sources, reference works and historiography titles ranging from the medieval to the contemporary.

There are two £25 National Book Tokens to be won if you complete the survey and enter into our optional prize draw! 📚️

Image of women with speech bubble with question mark. Caption states IHR Library Survey. Open now, closes 10 April. Give your thoughts and help us secure future funding! More details in caption.

The IHR Library 2026 survey is now open and closes Friday 10 April! 😊

Do you have any feedback, comments or suggestions about the IHR Library? If so, please fill out our annual survey here: forms.office.com/e/BjwVZYhsc5.

Bibliography of British and Irish History February 2026 update  - On History What’s new in BBIH?   The February 2026 update to the Bibliography of British and Irish History adds over 4,000 new publications. The new update includes books, journal articles, book chapters, and…

The Bibliography of British and Irish History (BBIH) has recently been updated with 4000+ new references. Discover further details about this update in this On History blog buff.ly/eWSMfuT @brepols.net

Stack of books including Life and Love in Nazi Prague, Medieval Love Letters, A Singular Marriage, Lovers in Wartime 1944 to 1945, and The Lost Love Letters of Heloise and Abelard.

Extract from Lovers in Wartime 1944 to 1945 stating Darling, In reply to your question "Will we be married if the leave does come through?" Beth, I'd marry you any time, any place, under any conditions with or without a honeymoon. [Underscore added]. Vaughn

Happy Valentines Day from all of us at the IHR Library! We have many romantic texts on our shelves including these collections of love letters. 💌

Second image taken from Lovers in Wartime 1944 to 1945 by Vaughn Davis Bornet.

Researching the History of Emotions Please enable JavaScript in your web browser to get the best experience.

Date for your diary - join us Join us for this online training session on 28th April, hosted by the @ihrlibrary.bsky.social team, which will bring together a panel of historians, librarians and subject specialists to discuss the History of Emotions
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...

Using BBIH online: a help pack for students and lecturers For the academic year, we've a help pack offering guides to BBIH in undergraduate and graduate teaching and research. With embeddable content for VLEs.

Are you studying, researching or teaching the histories of race and ethnicity? Try using the Bibliography of British and Irish History (BBIH). It contains 670,000+ resources from 55 BCE to today! Find out how to use BBIH buff.ly/yD11954 @brepols.net

Thank you so much for reminding us! We'll make sure we add alt-text going forward 🙂

🏳️‍🌈 February is LGBT+ History Month. This year's theme is Science and Innovation so we are highlighting some prominent LGBT+ scientists and innovators featured in the IHR Library's Collection! 🧑‍🔬

#LGBTHistoryMonth

Thanks - if anyone wants an overview of what we have we have a guide to the types of maps you can find here - www.history.ac.uk/map-collecti...

A reminder that applications for this post close this Sunday 1 February. @ihr.bsky.social @ihrlibrary.bsky.social

Using BBIH online: a help pack for students and lecturers For the academic year, we've a help pack offering guides to BBIH in undergraduate and graduate teaching and research. With embeddable content for VLEs.

Are you studying, researching or teaching in the histories of Britain or Ireland? Try using the Bibliography of British and Irish History (BBIH), it contains 670,000+ resources from 55 BCE to today! Find out how to use BBIH buff.ly/yD11954 @brepols.net

Dr Justin Colson welcomes participants

Treasures and key reading from the library

Historic maps and other materials from the library

Great to see our new IHR Discovery Course on 'Historic Maps: Interpreting Stories of Place', led by @justincolson.bsky.social, getting off to a brilliant start this morning. A full room, lots of treasures from @ihrlibrary.bsky.social, + a fascinating few days of lectures, workshops and visits ahead!

If anyone would like a similar session, details about arranging it can be found here: www.history.ac.uk/library-digi...

It is with deep sadness that the Master and Fellows of St Peter’s College share news of the death of Professor Stephen Baxter, Fellow and Tutor in Medieval History. Our full tribute will be shared soon. https://ow.ly/cy8J50Y0yrB

Calendar of IHR Research Training January to April 2026. All the details are in the web link in the body of the post.

More Research Training from the IHR . The term 2 calendar is now live.
www.history.ac.uk/study-traini...

Pioneering Women Archivists in Early 20th Century England This book tells the story of four remarkable women who laid the foundations of English local archives in the early 20th century: Ethel Stokes, Lilian Redstone, Catherine Jamison and Joan Wake. The boo...

This - www.routledge.com/Pioneering-W...
A copy is on its way to the library but can also be found in Glasgow, Bristol and Liverpool University libraries as well as the BL, LSE, UCL, etc.

Display of new local history titles (January 2026)

Display of new local history titles (January 2026)

A range of titles can be browsed on the display on the first floor highlighting new addtions to our local history collections including two new titles gifted to us from @vch-home.bsky.social

Join us for this online training session, hosted by the IHR Library and Digital Team, which will bring together a panel of historians, librarians and subject specialists to discuss the History of Emotions. Everyone is welcome.

These new courses, on a similar model to our @ihr.bsky.social Summer School, are going to be really exciting! Teaching, trips and guest experts, then the option to add a (free) extra day with bespoke research guidance from our colleagues @ihrlibrary.bsky.social, to work on your own current project.