The first Library at Radley was established by Warden Singleton in 1847. It was stocked with an assortment of 500 books uniformly bound in leather with the school crest in gold. The first boy librarian was elected in 1848. The site of this earliest Library is unknown. Many of the books survive, still in their distinctive bindings, as part of the Special Collections. In 1854, it was moved to the newly built Octagon, and the stock had grown to just over 3,300 volumes. This became a favourite place for relaxation and for writing letters home.

The Wilson Library was opened in 1898 in a temporary home in the present Common Room. Initially, this was reserved for Scholars and boys in the Middle Fifth and above. In 1924, a new home for it was opened for it by the Prince of Wales, located in the three rooms on the ground floor of the Mansion. It was equipped with bookcases, tables and chairs designed by an Old Radleian. It became the central library for the whole school. The Wilson Library remained in use until 1996, when the new Library, now The Richard Morgan Library, was established in the building known as School.

Radleian Collection

The Radleian Collection contains works by and about Radley and Radleians from before 1847 to the present.

Archives

The Archives contain material about the history of the school and of past and present members. Contact the Archivist (CDS)

Showcase

The Showcase features an article about specific exhibitions or items from the Special Collections