Mary of Egypt from BL YT 3, f. 287

Miniature of Mary of Egypt, covered in golden hair, being handed a cloak by Zosimus, with a full foliate border, at the beginning of her suffrage. Image taken from f. 287 of Book of Hours, Use of Rome ('The Dunois Hours'). Written in Latin, with a French calendar.

Henry Yates Thompson (1838-1928) was a British collector and philanthropist who assembled this remarkable collection over his lifetime. The collection is now housed at the British Library in London.

Henry Yates Thompson was born into a wealthy family in 1838. Thompson began collecting manuscripts and other items in the 1870s. His collection quickly gained recognition for its exceptional quality and breadth. He had a keen eye for illuminated manuscripts, which are manuscripts decorated with intricate illustrations and calligraphy. The collection has a particular emphasis on medieval manuscripts.