St Cuthbert Gospel to be exhibited in Durham following £9m fundraising campaign
St Cuthbert Gospel to be exhibited in Durham following £9m fundraising campaign. One of the world's most important books will be displayed in Durham and London following a successful fundraising campaign by the British Library. The St Cuthbert Gospel - the earliest surviving European book - will be displayed on a 50:50 basis between the British Library and Durham's UNESCO World Heritage Site after £9million was raised to secure the 7th Century manuscript. The acquisition of the St Cuthbert Gospel by the British Library involved a formal partnership with Durham University and Durham Cathedral and an agreement that the book will be displayed to the public equally in London and Durham. The first display in Durham is anticipated to be in July 2013 in Durham University's Palace Green Library on the UNESCO World Heritage Site when the Lindisfarne Gospels will also be exhibited on a three-month loan from the British Library. Durham University and Durham Cathedral welcomed today's announcement by the British Library of the successful fundraising campaign to acquire the book. The £9million purchase price for the Gospel was secured following the largest and most successful fundraising campaign in the British Library's history.
