Although Charles Edward Sayle, like many others with his background and education, wished for success in a literary career, he was to find his niche in the world of letters not as an author but as a bibliographer. He is particularly remembered for his catalogues of early printed books in several Cambridge libraries. He is also remembered for compiling the first adequate history of the Cambridge University Library. Although he lived in Cambridge for most of his life, he was not rewarded with a permanent appointment in the University Library there until he had reached the age of forty-five. The tasks of a bibliographer rarely earned their practitioners financial reward and job security.

Born on 6 December 1864 in Cambridge, Sayle was the son and tenth child of Robert and Priscilla Sayle. Robert, who died in 1883, was a well-known and wealthy draper. The parents of the young Charles encouraged their...