Parts 1 and 2 of this project brought together a large quantity of the surviving manuscripts once held in this magnificent library from the holdings of the Bodleian Library, Oxford, and Corpus Christi College, Oxford. Part 3, based on the holdings of Cambridge University Library, makes a start on the printed books in Dee's Library, offering 43 volumes of printed books and one further manuscript volume. It should be emphasised that these books are the original volumes that were once held in Dee's library and many bear his annotations and markings. As such, in addition to offering scholars the chance to access one of the great Renaissance libraries, this publication will also provide insights into the reading practices and the way in which Dee and his contemporaries managed knowledge. The copy of Henry de Herph's Theologia mystica , for example, is heavily annotated and shows signs that it has been read closely, while a work of Richard of St Victor contains copious underlinings and notes including Dee's speculations on angels and angelic nature.
Subjects range from astrology and astronomy, through grammar and ethics, to philosophy and theology.
There are also many scientific works. As can be seen from this list, Dee's library incorporated many of the major traditions of thought. The Hebrew traditions are shown in the works of Elias Levita and a number of other Hebraica. Neoplatonism is well represented with manuscript texts of de sex rerum principiis, khalid rex et Morienus romanus and Liber gratiae by Hermes Trismegistus, and de mystica theologia by Dionysus the Areopagite. A copy of De secretis naturae by Roger Bacon is also featured, and he was clearly an important influence on Dee's own thought, as well as sharing the common fate of being accused of necromancy.