Lives of the Founders of the British Museum, Part 2 of 2 With Notices of Its Chief Augmentors and Other Benefactors, 1570-1870.

"Lives of the Founders of the British Museum, Part 2 of 2" by Edward Edwards is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The work explores the contributions of notable individuals who were instrumental in establishing and augmenting the British Museum from 1570 to 1870. It highlights the roles of early benefactors and the significance of their collections in developing a national repository of knowledge and culture, emphasizing the importance of private donations in enriching public institutions. The opening portion of the book presents a discourse by Antonio Panizzi, advocating for the accessibility of resources in the British Museum for scholars of all backgrounds. He argues that the nation has contributed minimally to the development of the museum's library compared to what was given by private individuals. The text introduces various prominent figures such as Clayton Mordaunt Cracherode, William Petty, and Dr. Charles Burney, detailing their contributions and legacies, including significant collections of manuscripts and printed works. Through their benevolence, these individuals not only enriched the museum but also ensured that scholars from all walks of life could access invaluable resources for their research and education. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Edward Edwards (1812–1886) was a British librarian, library historian, and biographer. He was an important figure in the establishment of free libraries in the United Kingdom. He died and is buried in Niton on the Isle of Wight.