'Marks of Genius' pays tribute to the most remarkable testaments to genius throughout human history. Bringing together some of the most impressive treasures from the collections of the Bodleian Libraries, it tells the story of the creation of each work and its afterlife, offering insight into the breadth and depth of its influence.
When attempting to describe exceptional ability, or men and women who have such ability, we use the word genius. Rare and inexplicable, genius is the mysterious pinnacle of human creativity, a gift which cannot be acquired through dedication and hard work.
From works on papyrus to the Magna Carta; from the Douce Apocalypse to the "Wind in the Willows" instances of extraordinary brilliance run through human history like a golden thread, and the stories of their creation, their journeys through time, continue to fascinate us. This collection pays tribute to some of the most remarkable testimonies of genius.
This publication will accompany the Bodleian Libraries exhibition showing at the Morgan Library New York (June 2014) and the Bodleian Library, Oxford (from March 2015)."
