David from BL YT 8, f. 7 - Public domain medieval manuscript

Detail of a section of the right-hand border with King David (?) praying. Image taken from f. 7 of Breviary, Use of Verdun, Winter portion ('The Breviary of Renaud de Bar' or 'The Breviary of Marguerite de Bar'). Written in Latin.

Henry Yates Thompson (1838-1928) was a British collector and philanthropist who assembled this remarkable collection over his lifetime. The collection is now housed at the British Library in London.

Henry Yates Thompson was born into a wealthy family in 1838. Thompson began collecting manuscripts and other items in the 1870s. His collection quickly gained recognition for its exceptional quality and breadth. He had a keen eye for illuminated manuscripts, which are manuscripts decorated with intricate illustrations and calligraphy. The collection has a particular emphasis on medieval manuscripts.