William Bennett Bizzell Bible Collection
Information
William Bennett Bizzell, president of The University of Oklahoma from 1925 to 1941, purchased his first old Bible for $1 while a college student in Boston. That Geneva Bible is just one of the 665 Bibles included in the Bizzell Bible Collection.
In addition to more common European languages such as Greek, Latin, German, French and Spanish, President Bizzell collected many Bibles in numerous other languages such as Cherokee, Muskogee, Hindi, Swahili, Javanese, Mongolian, Tartan, Mooltan, and Turkish. Additional related works include commentaries, textual studies, illustrations, geographies and histories of the holy land, works on the life of Christ, prayer books and hymnals. The collection includes several incunabula (books published in the infancy of printing, before 1500). The oldest book is a hand-painted manuscript prayer book written on vellum in the fifteenth century.
The collection was given to the University in 1949 by Bizzell's family, with the provision that it be kept intact. Since 1987, the collection has been housed in the Gaylord Room of the Bizzell Memorial Library. President Bizzell's love for scholarship and books is reflected in his drive to complete the University Library in 1930. A statue of President Bizzell gazes perpetually on the south entrance to the library which now bears his name.
All visitors are required to follow the William Bennett Bizzell Bible Collection reading room policies. The policies include no food or drinks and leaving bags in the designated lockers.
Notable Initiatives
New Digital Collections Platform
The University Libraries is beta testing a new digital repository platform. The purpose of the University of Oklahoma Libraries digital collections is to provide free online public access to high-resolution digital images of OU Libraries Special Research Collections materials to enhance scholarship, teaching, and community engagement. We invite you to explore the new beta site and share your feedback to help us improve.
Research Services
Anyone can use the William Bennett Bizzell Bible Collection materials regardless of their university affiliation or geographic location. We recommend appointments to view collections in person as some of our materials are stored offsite. Our staff are available for in-person, virtual, and email consultations if you need assistance with your research. Collection materials do not circulate and are made available for use in the Duane H.D. Roller Reading Room.
To view materials in person, request an appointment.
To request assistance with distance research, please contact us.
For information about viewing materials, support for research and instruction, tours, and details about sources and services, see the Research Services page.
Instruction Services
The William Bennett Bizzell Bible Collection curatorial team welcomes discussions with faculty about integrating primary sources from our collections into teaching and research activities.
Visit our Instruction Services page to learn more.
FAQ
Currently, the Gaylord Room is closed to the public. The curatorial team does offer tours roughly 1-2 times per semester. Contact us for more information about this!
Due to the busy schedules of our staff, we cannot always guarantee availability to offer tours. We do not take walk-in tour groups, though we do offer the display in Murphy Hall where we have set up cases displaying items from each of our collections.
Our collection is housed on site and can be viewed within the same day, with the exception of a few items that may be out for conservation or catalog work. It may take time (15 or more minutes) for a request to be fulfilled. Researchers are advised to make appointments and to check the catalog for materials prior to a visit to ensure that materials are ready for viewing during their visit.