Overdue library book returned 120 years late

A book that has been missing from a Hereford school library for more than 120 years has finally been returned.

The book was borrowed by former pupil Professor Arthur Boycott, who attended Hereford Cathedral School between 1886 and 1894.

‘The Microscope and its Revelations’ by Dr William B Carpenter was discovered by Alice Gillett, granddaughter of Professor Boycott, when she was sorting through a collection of 6,000 books following the death of her husband earlier this year.

On discovery of the HCS library stamp inside the book, Mrs Gillett, who lives near Taunton, felt compelled to return it. She joked:

If the book had been borrowed from Hereford Library, which charges 17p a day, the fine would have been £7,446 although the school has promised to waive any fines.