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HISTORICAL SUMMARY. 
Books for the Blind provided and circulated for the first time from the 
Lending Branches. 
Foundation stone of new Library and Museum on Shaw’s Brow laid by 
Mr. William Brown, m.v., 15th April. 
The ‘ Savage’ Collection of Ethnography purchased for the Museums. 
The South Branch Lending Library transferred from Hardy Street to 
special premises in Upper Parliament Street. 
Standard music provided and circulated for the first time from the 
Branch Libraries. 
New building erected in Great Nelson Street, providing additional 
accommodation for the North Branch Lending Library. 
The Brown Library and Museum, Shaw’s Brow, formally opened by 
Mr. William Brown (afterwards Sir William Brown, Bart.), 18th 
October. The Library was transferred from the old building in Duke 
Street, and opened for public service on 3rd December. 
Gift of £1,000 by Mr. Joseph Shipley (of Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.A., 
and formerly of the firm of Brown, Shipley, and Co., Liverpool) for 
the purchase of important books for the Reference Library. 
The administration of the Botanic Gardens and Park transferred to the 
Finance Committee. 
Mr. Peter Cowell appointed Superintendent of Branch Libraries, in 
succession to Mr. W. Roulston, resigned. 
Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales visited the 
Library and Museum, 31st October. 
Lectures Sub-Committee appointed. The first Lecture Session comprised 
four series, each of ten lectures on a scientific subject, and was 
inaugurated on November 3rd. The first Chairman of the Sub- 
Committee was Councillor Edward Samuelson, J.P. 
First group of British Birds (Common Bald Coot) with natural 
surroundings, prepared in the Liverpool Museum, and exhibited at 
the British Association Meeting, Birmingham. 
Mr. George Hudson appointed Chief Librarian, in succession to Mr. John 
Stuart Dalton, deceased. 
The ‘ Mayer’ Collection presented to the town by Mr. Joseph Mayer, r.s.a. 
Bequest to the Museum by Mr. William Tyrer Gerrard of a collection 
of Natural History Specimens from Madagascar. 
A large and important collection of Shells presented to the Museum by 
Mr. Samuel Smith per the Rev. H. H. Higgins. 
An extensive series of fossils from the coal measures, chiefly from the 
Railway excavation at Ravenhead, presented to the Museum by the 
Rey. H. H. Higgins. 
Bequest to the Museum by Mr. John Mather of a collection of Miniatures, 
etc., relating to the Bonaparte Family. 
The First Autumn Exhibition of Pictures opened 4th September, closed 
18th November, and continued annually in the Museum building 
until 1876. 
Councillor Edward Samuelson, s.p., elected first Chairman of the Fine 
Arts Sub-Committee. 
Councillor Joseph Armstrong elected Chairman of the Lectures Sub- 
Committee, in succession to Councillor Samuelson. 
Councillor Andrew B. Walker, Mayor of Liverpool (afterwards Sir 
Andrew Barclay Walker, Bart.) offered to devote the sum of £20,000 
to the erection of an Art Gallery. 
Foundation Stone of the Walker Art Gallery laid by H.R.H. the Duke 
of Edinburgh, 28th September. 
