2/07/03--Daniel R. Coquillette, J. Donald Monan, S.J. University Professor, has donated an important collection of rare seventeenth- and eighteenth-century law books to the Boston College Law Library. Many of the works are classics in international and comparative law, including a large group of works by Hugo Grotius. Another hallmark of the gift is a remarkably complete collection of early printings of the civilian jurists of Doctors’ Commons, who were early experts on comparative legal studies and pioneers of international law.

"Faculty and librarians who teach international and comparative law are very excited about these works," says Curator of Rare Books Karen Beck. "Some have already brought early international law books to their classes. Dan Coquillette’s generous gift enhances the experience of today’s students while forging a link with the past."

This donation marks the third in a series of annual gifts from Professor Coquillette. Together with fifteenth- and sixteenth-century legal writings donated over the past two years, these works form the core of the law library’s collection of law books that were likely to have been owned and used by working lawyers of past centuries.

"Dan Coquillette’s ambitious gift has enabled the Boston College Law School to become a serious player in the world of rare books," notes Associate Dean for Library and Computing Services Filippa Marullo Anzalone. "This installment widens the scope of our rare book collection to researchers in comparative and international law as well."

The books will be on view in the Daniel R. Coquillette Rare Book Room in Fall 2003, along with other rare books acquired over the past year. Visit the Rare Book Room online for more information about the rare books program at BC Law.

--Karen Beck