Leading historian Tom Holland has been appointed Bede Librarian, a newly created honorary role at Durham Cathedral.
He will mark this new role when he speaks on Cuthbert, Bede and the Renewal of Culture at the Cathedral in May in conversation with the Dean of Durham, Philip Plyming.
Holland will explore how the Saxon saints Cuthbert and Bede contributed to a renewal of culture in their own time through their leadership, scholarship, and example and explore how, in an age of global insecurity, cultural tribalism, and political volatility, the UK and the West still have much to learn from these formative North East figures.
This will be the first lecture Holland gives in his new role as Bede Librarian, an honorary post established to champion the significance of Durham Cathedral’s internationally important archives and collections, and to encourage wider engagement with Bede’s legacy as historian, scholar, and theologian.
Commenting on the appointment and forthcoming lecture, the Dean of Durham, the Very Revd Dr Philip Plyming, said,
‘I am thrilled that Tom Holland has accepted the role of Bede Librarian at Durham Cathedral and will be contributing to our life and mission in the years to come. Tom is not only an outstanding historian and communicator but also deeply committed to the North-East, our saints and our stories. It will be wonderful to have him speaking about such a vital topic as the renewal of our culture and what we can – and must – learn from the past. I am also delighted that he will be helping Durham Cathedral share our wonderful archives and collections with an even wider audience.’
Commenting on his new honorary role as Bede Librarian, Tom Holland added,
‘Bede is the father of English history – so what greater honour could there possibly for an English historian than to be appointed the Bede Librarian in the cathedral where he lies buried.’
Holland will be formally inaugurated as Bede Librarian during the Festal Evensong for Bede on Monday 25 May at 5.30pm, at which the guest preacher will be Anna Rowlands, St Hilda Professor of Catholic Social Thought and Practice at Durham University.
For more details of the Durham Cathedral Institute event and how to book a free ticket for the event on May 26, see here.
