Celebrating 400 Years of the King James Bible: Its Origins in Manuscript and Print January 20, 2011

The Bible exhibit is back! This exhibit traces the roots of the King James Version of the Bible, showing both its direct ancestors and other, related works up to its appearance in 1611. Attention is also given to the materials upon which the Biblical text was preserved, from papyrus to parchment to paper.

Also called the Authorized Version, the King James Bible was for 350 years the standard version in English. Commanded by King James I in 1604, just after succeeding Elizabeth to the throne, forty-seven scholars began the task of a new translation, “as consonant as can be to the original Hebrew and Greek; and ... set out and printed, without any marginal notes.” James intended it to be accepted by all branches of English-speaking Christians.

The title page of the first edition of the King James Bible reads, "THE HOLY BIBLE, Conteyning the Old Testament, and the New : Newly translated out of the Originall Tongues : and with the former Translations diligently compared and revised by his Majesties speciall Comandement" [sic] and was printed in London in 1611 by “Robert Barker, Printer to the Kings most excellent Majestie” [sic].

See the exhibit in the U-M Hatcher Graduate Library, Audubon Room, from January 5th to March 20th.

All of the materials displayed in the exhibit are from the University of Michigan Library’s Papyrus Collection and Special Collections Library.