麻豆社

The former University Challenge presenter Bamber Gascoigne had little idea that the library of his great aunt, the late Duchess of Roxborough, contained a treasure trove of rare letters by famous authors.

It was only when the books were bequeathed to Trinity College Cambridge, and its librarian Dr Nicholas Bell had a chance to examine them, that handwritten notes by authors such as Henry James and Percy Bysshe Shelley were discovered.

Bamber Gascoigne and Dr Nicholas Bell told Radio 4's The World At One programme how they uncovered the true value of this unusual library.

(Photo: Collection of books bequeathed to Trinity College Cambridge Credit: Trinity College Cambridge)