Highlights
The history of the American Civil War is complex and diverse, and this is reflected by the range of materials held by the Library from this period. These are some of the most important, the most visual, and the most interesting and curious of the many collection items that can be consulted in the Library's reading rooms or online.
Thornton papers
Diplomatic papers sent to Sir Edward Thornton
Civil War songsters
Selections from a book containing over 250 Civil War songsters
Abraham Lincoln's cortege
Silk cords from Lincoln's funeral cortege
Gardner's photographic book
A collection of photographs taken during the conflict
Confederate banknote
A $50 Confederate bill dated 17th February 1864
Bright papers
Correspondence to and from the British politician John Bright
Confederate seal
The official seal for the Confederate government
Layard papers
Primary sources detailing Britain's diplomatic relationship with America
Civil War prisons book
A contemporary analysis of the treatment of Union POWs
The Index
A pro-Confederate newspaper, printed and circulated in Britain
