Society of Friends collection
Nonconformity and philanthropy from the 18th century onwards are the main strengths of this collection of more than 600 books from Friends Meeting Houses around the country.
About the collection
The collectors
Dedicated to living through God’s “Inward Light” without creed, church or clergy, the Society of Friends (better known as Quakers) originated in mid-17th century England.
York’s Quaker tradition dates back to 1651 when founder George Fox was thrown out of the Minster for preaching against the established church, and the philanthropy and industry of the prominent Quaker Tuke and Rowntree families are stamped on the city's history.
Beyond York, 18th-century British Quakers also founded Barclays and Lloyds Banks, shoe retailer C. & J. Clark, and confectioners Cadbury and Fry. Quakers were also prominent abolitionists, prison reformers and campaigners for social justice, and the collection reflects all these concerns.
Acquisition
From Friends House in London, the central offices for the Society.
Related collections
- York Quaker Papers held by the Borthwick : Retreat Archive, Rowntree Archive, Tuke Family Papers
- Retreat collection including the archive held at the Borthwick.
- Sessions collection
Further information
To find out more about Quakers visit:
Titles to look at:
‘Case of the Vigilante, a ship employed in the slave-trade : with some reflections on that traffic’ originally from the York Friends Library, includes a fold out plan of the cramped lower decks of the slave ships
An address of Friends of the Yearly Meeting of New-York : to the citizens of the United States, especially to those of the Southern States, upon the subject of slavery, presented by York born Samuel Tuke to the Society’s New York Yearly Meeting (1844)
The Christian-Quaker and his divine testimony vindicated by Scripture, reason, and authorities : against the injurious attempts that have been lately made by several adversaries, with manifest design to rendor him odiously inconsistent with Christianity and civil society, (1674) an early Quaker defence by William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania