The Lilly Library is the rare books, manuscripts, and special collections library of the Indiana University Libraries, Bloomington. Its collections represent a diversity of subjects, including literature; children’s literature; history; folklore; science; radio, film and television; book collecting and bookselling; journalism; and translation.
The Cookery mss., circa 1660–circa 1918, consists of bound and individual writings, often on the topic of cookery, of persons involved with cooking by practice or trade.
The Near Eastern mss., 700-1915, consist of a collection of individually acquired manuscripts pertaining to the region formerly known as the Near East, now referred to as the Middle East.
The Medieval and Renaissance mss., 700-1600, consists of individual items acquired from time to time either as a gift or purchased from a variety of sources.
Consists of the papers of Charles Willing Byrd. A member of the prominent Virginia family of that name, Byrd became deeply interested in the Shaker movement, and one of his sons, William Silonwe Byrd, joined the Shaker community at Pleasant Hill, Kentucky. For the years 1826-1828, a considerable portion of the collection consists of letters from this son, dealing with the beliefs of the Shakers and the affairs of Pleasant Hill. The collection also includes letters to Charles Willing Byrd from members of his family, in regard to family matters. Letters from an aunt refer to the death of Washington and to conditions in Philadelphia during the War of 1812. Some light on medical practices of the day is given in letters, 1826-1828, to Byrd from his physicians, prescribing treatment for him.
The Holland mss., 1781-1953, consists of correspondence and papers of three generations of Holland family physicians from Bloomington, Indiana: Philip Calphy Holland, 1840-1929, his son, George Frank Holland, 1871-1936, and his son, Philip Todd Holland, 1905-1973.
The Indiana History mss., 1725-1973, consists of individual items related to the history of the state of Indiana, acquired separately either as a gift, purchase, transfer, or removal from a variety of sources.
The U.S. History mss., 1612-1977, consist of individual items acquired separately either as a gift, purchase, transfer, or removal from a variety of sources, relating to the United States. Additions continue to be made.
The Latin American mss. --Mexico II, 1560-1940, consists of individual items acquired separately either as a gift, purchase, transfer, or removal from a variety of sources, complementing the materials in the Latin American mss. Mexico collection. Additions continue to be made.