The Libraries of George III
George III amassed an extensive collection of books and manuscripts
![James Stephanoff, 'Buckingham House: the East Library' (RCIN 922140) Watercolour of Buckingham House's East Library](https://cmsadmin.rct.uk/sites/default/files/lead-image/trail/libraries-of-king-george-iii-1600-3.jpg)
George III’s book collections share several similarities to those of a country gentleman of the eighteenth-century Enlightenment. Many of the topics covered in his libraries were common features of contemporary book collections: ‘useful books’ that aimed to demonstrate an understanding of the world through the sciences, humanities, classics, arts, philosophy and theology. The king was also a keen bibliophile with his own interests in science, architecture and agriculture.
Explore the sections below to learn more about the holdings of George III's libraries.