Alexandra Plane
Alexandra Plane is a History PhD student. Alexandra's project title is ‘Reconstructing the Library of King James VI and I’.
10 May 2021
Project Title
Reconstructing the Library of King James VI and I.
Academic Supervisor
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Prof. Rachel Hammersley (Newcastle University, History)
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Dr. Ruth Connolly (Newcastle University, English)
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Dr. Kirsten Gibson (Newcastle University, Music)
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Dr. Anette Hagan (National Library of Scotland)
Project description
This project closes a major gap in book history by recovering the contents of the libraries of King James VI and I. Identifying his manuscripts and printed books, establishing their use, and exploring their bindings, the project situates his royal libraries in the context of both Scottish and English book culture. By tracing the content and extent of James’ libraries throughout his reigns, it offers an important window onto the intellectual life of this most scholarly of British monarchs. As well as employing traditional bibliographical research methods, it will also include creation of an open-access database of James’ books.
I am funded by an AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Award, so I am also based at the National Library of Scotland. I will be undertaking curatorial placement work there, including co-curation of the forthcoming Scottish Renaissance exhibition.
Qualifications
MA in Library and Information Studies (Distinction) - University College London
MA in Classics (Distinction) - University of Durham
BA in Classics (First-class Honours) - University of Durham
Funding
AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Award, Northern Bridge Consortium
Awards
Sir John MacAlister Medal, awarded to the most distinguished candidate in the UCL Library and Information Studies MA
Anthony Davis Book Collecting Prize
Durham Faculty of Arts and Humanities Inspirational Student Award
Maltby Exhibition Prize for best undergraduate dissertation in Classics and Ancient History
Other Roles
I am a fully qualified librarian, with particular experience in special collections and academic librarianship. I have worked at the Bodleian Library and New College Library (University of Oxford), as well as several libraries at the University of Durham. I also serve as a council member of the Oxford Bibliographical Society.
Contact
a.plane2@newcastle.ac.uk