Supporting the Marshall Library

The Marshall Library is a busy, vibrant and essential part of the Faculty and is described by many economics scholars as one of the finest specialist collections in the UK. Its users benefit greatly from the support given to the Library by former Faculty members, students and friends. Without this valuable help, the Library simply could not maintain and increase its collection of books and journals or provide access to the growing number of online journals and databases.

Established by a generous gift

The Library was founded by Professor Alfred Marshall (1842–1924), creator of the Economics Tripos and a major figure responsible for the professionalisation of the subject. Together with one of the forefathers of moral philosophy Professor Henry Sidgwick, Marshall created a small Moral Sciences Library in 1885, largely through the donation of their own books for student use. This eventually became the Departmental Library of Economics and when Alfred Marshall died in 1924, leaving the majority of his books and money to the Library, it was re-named the "Marshall Library of Economics" in his honour.

The tradition of support established by Marshall has continued to this day. Some of the Library’s many benefactors include the foremost names in economics such as JM Keynes, who was taught by Marshall and who was himself an avid book collector. Keynes left books to the Library, as did Joan and Austin Robinson, and the extraordinary mountaineering economist AC Pigou. More recently, Nobel Prize winner Emeritus Professor Sir James Mirrlees, and Emeritus Professor Ajit Singh, whose expertise in the financial development of both rich and poor countries has benefited many, have both given a substantial number of books to the Library on their retirement. Some have made valuable additions to the Library, while those already in stock have been sold to allow the purchase of other titles. All donations of this kind ensure that the Library remains an evolving and highly prized resource for students, researchers and staff alike.

Your support is vital

The Library also welcomes other kinds of support. While donations of books are very useful, financial donations are essential as they allow the Library to respond to the latest developments in Economics. In addition to the books and papers given by Marshall, library users continue to benefit from two trust funds established by Alfred Marshall’s wife, Mary Paley Marshall, which help to pay for much-needed books and journals. Other funds have been established not only by the friends and families of Fellows, but also by alumni from around the world, who choose to celebrate their connection with the Faculty by supporting the Library. Every donation, whether a one-off gift or endowed fund, helps to ensure that the Library continues to offer the space and the resource to learn and discover, providing inspiration both to users now and those in the future.

How you can help

The Library recognises donations in many ways: by placing a bookplate with the donor’s name in each book purchased with their donation and by recording their name in the book’s electronic catalogue record. Significant donations are also recorded in the Annual Report of the Faculty. But knowing that your gift is helping the brightest minds to achieve their future potential is perhaps the best acknowledgement of all.

If you would like to support the Marshall Library, please contact the Librarian, Rowland Thomas@econ.cam.ac.uk, or contact the University's Development Office directly. Alternative you can donate now via Cambridge Online Giving. All gifts are greatly appreciated.