Marks of Genius: Masterpieces from the Collections of the Bodleian Libraries

Description

What sets Mary Shelley's Frankenstein apart from so many other famous works of fiction? What special combination of creativity and vision made possible the drafting of Magna Carta? When describing exceptional accomplishments like these - and the men and women behind them - we use the word 'genius'. And while genius is difficult to define, we all recognize that elusive, special quality when we encounter it. Marks of Genius pays tribute to some of the most remarkable testaments to genius throughout human history, from ancient texts on papyrus and the extraordinary medieval manuscript The Douce Apocalypse to the renowned children's work The Wind in the Willows. Bringing together some of the most impressive treasures from the collections of the Bodleian Libraries, it tells the story of the creation of each work and its afterlife, offering insight into the breadth and depth of its influence as well as its power to fascinate. Illustrating works from Euclid, Dante and Handel to Einstein, Austen and Gandhi, Marks of Genius showcases over 100 books and manuscripts that constitute the pinnacle of human creativity and which we continue to revere and revisit.

Stephen Hebron works in the department of Special Collections at the Bodleian Libraries. He is a curator and the author of numerous books, including 'Shelley's Ghost' (2010) and 'The Radcliffe Camera' (2014), also published by the Bodleian Library.

"Fascinating. . . . Balancing erudition with clarity, the catalogue is an invaluable guide to some of civilisation's textual cornerstones."-- "Financial Times" (4/6/2015 12:00:00 AM) "Marks of Genius is a must. . . . The photographs are rich and detailed, and each entry features illustrative historical context. . . . Collecting this material in one place allows viewers to build a multifaceted understanding of genius." -- "Choice" (1/26/2015 12:00:00 AM) "Where can you find locks of Percy Bysshe Shelley's and Mary Shelley's hair alongside the fragments of Sappho's poetry? At the Bodleian Libraries in Oxford, England. And also in the book Marks of Genius. . . The book includes writings and drawings and ephemera dating from ancient times to the twentieth century."-- "Los Angeles Times" (9/3/2014 12:00:00 AM) What makes Marks of Genius such a gem is the opportunity to witness the handwritten output of geniuses through the ages. You can find a photograph of equations concerning the age and expansion of the universe that Albert Einstein wrote on a blackboard during a talk in 1931. . . . You can also take in images of the Magna Carta . . . and the manuscript of The Wind in the Willows. -- "Boston Globe" (10/11/2014 12:00:00 AM)