Why the University of Southampton’s Hartley Library was originally called the Edward Turner Sims Library

Did you know that the University library was named the Edward Turner Sims Library when it was opened in 1935. Edward Turner Sims died in 1928 and in his will he expressed a wish for there to be some memorial to him at the University. In 1932 his two daughters donated £24,250 for the building of a library. Charles Gilbert Scott was a consultant for its design and R T Gutteridge was the architect. It was opened by the Queen’s father before he became George VI who arrived early and was left waiting for events to begin. Today it is known as the Hartley Library with Turner Sims being commemorated by the naming of the Concert Hall.