Tag Archives: Bible

400-year-old Bible in college basement

1599-geneva-bible
Geneva Bible from 1599

This amazing story of discovery is proof that you never know what you may find when you are at the library!

At the Lewis & Clark College’s Aubrey R. Watzek Library in Portland, a rare piece of history was hiding, just waiting to be unearthed and appreciated. According to this article from The Oregonian, it was history major Sam Bussan that discovered the Geneva Bible from 1599 that was printed in London by none other than Queen Elizabeth I’s printer.

The article also includes an interview with Hannah Crummé, head of special collections and college archivist at the Aubrey R. Watzek Library. She explains the significance of the Bible in relation to religion and literature accessibility at the time it was printed: “Elizabeth I pitted her Protestant nation against the Catholic powers in Europe, particularly Spain,” Crummé said. “She allowed her subjects to study the Bible in their native English, making not just religion but the written word newly accessible to the majority of people.”

Want to see more of the discovered Bible? Watch this video from MSN for a closer look at the Bible itself, which features detailed drawings and music notations.