Vignette 150: Christine Macgregor and the 5,000 books

In 1974, Christine Macgregor bequeathed nearly 5,000 books to the University Library.

Macgregor was the fifth grandchild of Robert Barr Smith, after whom the Library is named. From 1920, she gained a serious interest in book collecting. She gathered beautiful, limited editions, readily available during the second-generation Private Press Movement. Her collection came to feature many books from the great private presses Nonesuch, Gregynog, Kelmscott, and the Golden Cockerel.

Approximately 500 items were considered significant enough to be added to the special collections. Her generous donation has substantially enriched the University Library’s collection.

The University of Adelaide: 150 Years of Making History.  Preserving a legacy.  p.199