Sheila Mary Hayes 

A gift to conserve the first books of matriculation 

Sheila Mary Hayes worked in Palace Green Library from 1943 until 1949, and her years spent working there always had a special place in her heart.  Because of this, her loved ones wished to make a gift to support the library in her memory.  After discussions with special collections staff, they decided that a fitting commemoration of Sheila’s time there would be a gift to conserve the first two books of matriculation. 

These two books are crucial to our University’s story, as the books of matriculation are  signed by our students when they formally enrol.  “Matriculation” comes from the Latin word matricula, which means “register”.  Matriculation was done on a roll in the Middle Ages, but a book was used for this by the time the first Durham students matriculated in the late Georgian period. 

The first book of matriculation records the signatures of the very first students to study at Durham, from William Cundill, the first signature in 1833, right up until the Easter term of 1896.  The second book records the signature of the first woman to matriculate: Martha Anne Thomas, who signed on 21 October 1896. 

Because of the significance and age of the first book of matriculation, it has endured a lot of wear and tear over the years, and conservation to replace the book’s missing spine and repair its corners was urgently needed.  The second book of matriculation was in better condition but still needed minor repairs. 

A clamshell case, dedicated to Sheila, was constructed for both books to keep them safe following the conservation work.  Without this generous gift, the first register was at risk of further damage, and even falling apart, but it can now be safely enjoyed for generations to come.