Some Sightseeing and Libraries!

I had a marvelous day yesterday.  I was really busy because I had a lot of work to finish before class.  That doesn't sound like a marvelous day, but let me explain.  I was in search of an article for my paleography class that was on reserve in the library.  The divinity library didn't have it, so I had to walk across campus to another library that did have it.  On my walk over I decided to enter a huge building that I walk by all the time. And that's how I found Memorial Church.  It's a beautiful church that is known for its special World War II memorial. Etched onto the wall of the church is every Harvard student that lost their life fighting in WWII. It covered the entire wall, so think how many students that was.

Memorial Church

There were two student casualties from the Divinity school.  And one of those names is probably one of the most looked at.  Next to one of the names, there follows the unique distinction of "(enemy combatant)." Of course the lone German soldier had to come from the Divinity school... The reason of his inclusion was that the memorial was to honor all Harvard students who perished. Apparently this student was drafted into the German army and killed somewhere on the Russian front, either as a soldier or medic.  It's not precisely known.

I left the church and walked across to Widener Library, which is the main library on campus.  I had walked past this many a times and was looking forward to exploring it.  I walked up the large stone staircase, swiped my ID, only to walk up another stone staircase.  I had no idea where I was really going.  I stumbled into a really nice room that was roped off right past the doorway.  I didn't know what was so special about it.  It just looked like a really nice, wood paneled room with a fireplace and lots of books. I was about to leave when I realized the book in the glass case, which was the focal point of the room.  The "Room is Alarmed" sign made much more sense.  There was a Gutenberg Bible in the case! Quick history lesson: Gutenberg invented the movable type printing press and his Bibles were the first printed books. There are only like 20 complete ones still remaining and Harvard owns two. I was lucky enough to be at SLU's ceremony last year, when they were presented with a single page from a Gutenberg Bible.

A Gutenberg, but not Harvard's... at least I don't think.

Perhaps it's kind of nerdy, but this was a highlight of my day. The Gutenberg Bibles were printed in the 1450s. I'm taking paleography this semester, which is the study of manuscripts.  Manuscripts, being handwritten, are even older than the Gutenberg Bible and that's what I'll be studying! As you can see, I'm very excited. Don't worry, you'll be able to hear all about my paleographic adventures throughout the semester!