I have spent time on Lindisfarne, and I admire Cuthbert's life, hence my wish to help modestly to acquire the gospel buried with him.
Gemma Passant
My friend Darcy Elizabeth is getting married in the States next weekend, she and her fiancé are both American. She is named after her Mum's favourite book, Pride & Prejudice. I thought, what better wedding gift than to adopt P&P for them because of the name connection and their connection to us as Brits sharing something from our British Library!
Catherine Ferguson
For me, as a historian and academic, the British Library lies right at the heart of my professional life. But sometimes an individual book or manuscript strikes a more emotional chord - and the St Cuthbert's Bible is such an item. I know Durham and Lindisfarne well. My gift towards the acquisition of this Bible is by way of a birthday present to my dearest friend with whom I have shared memorable walks on the great sweeping beaches of Bamburgh overlooking St Cuthbert's Farne Islands.
Annabel Rutherford, Adopt a Book donor
There are many different ways to remember a loved one but, for me, the most fitting way to remember my parents, both avid readers, was to adopt a book at the British Library.
I visited the Library to view the very beautiful book, Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens by JM Barrie, illustrated by Arthur Rackham, 1906. Staff from the Development office gave me a potted history of that particular edition. We then had a fascinating tour of the Centre for Conservation where I was introduced to the conservator who worked on the bookplate to my parents. It was a very special time. I truly cannot think of a better way by which to remember my parents.
J D Campbell
I was born in the North-East and I've visited Lindisfarne several times. I spent two years at Theological college in Durham and at least passed through the Cathedral whenever I could so I'm happy to support this connection with St Cuthbert. I'm also interested in New Testament manuscripts and call into the BL when I'm in London just to have a look at Sinaiticus. Lots of reasons to support as you can see.
Karen Sadler
I had a reader's card for the British Museum library in the 60s and have always felt great affection for the collection which has now become the British Library. I have a particular interest both in medieval illustrated manuscripts and in the gospel of St John and, while I know that the St Cuthbert gospel is neither illustrated nor strictly medieval, it is such a unique English treasure that I should like to see it properly conserved, digitised and displayed to as many people as possible, and who better to do this than the British Library.
Marion Hill
I've worked for Camden libraries, including the St Pancras branch which people often mistook for the British Library! I've visited the BL's exhibitions and I liked the idea of contributing to the acquisition of the St Cuthbert Gospel, having visited Lindisfarne in the past.
Mark Roberts
The British Library is quite simply the most important repository of the written word in the country. Although I have never used its facilities for scholarly purposes, I have enjoyed many exhibitions there and I am pleased to be able to support, in a small way, the appeal to save the St Cuthbert Gospel for the nation. The British Library is the most fitting place for it, to ensure its preservation for future generations to appreciate.
