Bodley's Librarian

[1][2] Poor management and inadequate financial resources have also been blamed for the state of the library.

"[2] Bodley volunteered in 1598 to restore it; the university accepted the offer, and work began soon afterwards.

[2][3] Bodley wanted the librarian to be "some one that is noted and known for a diligent student, and in all his conversation to be trusty, active, and discrete, a graduate also and a linguist, not encumbered with marriage, nor with a benefice of Cure" (i.e. not a parish priest).

[4] James, however, was able to persuade Bodley to let him marry and become Rector of St Aldate's Church, Oxford.

Thomas Lockey (1660–65) was regarded by the 17th-century Oxford antiquarian Anthony Wood as not fit for the post,[5] John Hudson (1701–19) has been described as "negligent if not incapable",[6] and John Price (1768–1813) was accused by a contemporary scholar of "a regular and constant neglect of his duty".

A man with short hair, a moustache and a goatee beard. He is wearing a ruff, decorated tunic and a cloak. His left hand holds the handle of a sword.
Sir Thomas Bodley , founder of the Bodleian Library
A man with full beard, wearing a black pointed cap and robes. He is holding a book in his left hand against his body, and a pair of gloves in his right hand by his side
Thomas James , the first Bodley's Librarian
A man with a moustache and pointed beard. He is wearing a black cloak with a large white collar. He is holding a book in his right hand and a scroll in his left
John Rouse , the second librarian
A man with a black cap and gown, seated. He is holding an open book in his right hand and pointing to it with his left
Thomas Barlow , the third librarian
A man with light-coloured, slightly curly, hair. He is wearing black clothes and a black gown, and holds a large book in his right hand
Thomas Lockey , the fourth man to be Bodley's Librarian