The Special Collection and the History of Genetics Library

The John Innes Foundation Collection of Rare Botanical Books at the John Innes Centre in Norwich ranks highly among collections of a similar nature. Most of the items were acquired by William Bateson (1861-1926), pioneer geneticist and first Director of the John Innes Institute.

Today the Collection is housed in a purpose built room within the John Innes Centre Library which was specially designed to provide the optimum conditions for the proper care, preservation and protection of these fascinating books. The Rare Book Collection is regarded as particularly outstanding, not only because it embraces more than four centuries of botanical literature, but also because it houses many works that are landmarks in the history of plant science.

The History of Genetics Library comprises 4,000 volumes on genetics, evolution, anthropology, geology, population, religion and many other related subjects.  It includes annotated books from the personal libraries of William Bateson and C.D. Darlington.  Bateson was a pioneer in the field of genetics and the John Innes Horticultural Institution’s first Director; Darlington established a flourishing school of cytology and was the third Director. The Library supplements a fine set of archive collections on the history of genetics, including the letters and papers of William Bateson (over 10,000 items), a collection of C. D. Darlington papers and book manuscripts, and laboratory notebooks, letters, papers, photographs, illustrations and cartoons reflecting 100 years of scientific work behind JIC. In addition we look after the archives of the Genetical Society. Together these resources provide a fascinating insight into the progress of genetics in Britain, and indeed worldwide.

Those wishing access to the Special Collection, History of Genetics Library or Archive should contact Mike Ambrose  mike.ambrose@jic.ac.uk  +44(0)1603 450630. Further details regarding the Historical Collections at the John Innes Centre can be found on the JIC website