- Raymond Scott
Raymond Scott seems to be doing everything he can to stay in the media spotlight. The 51-year-old Englishman is at the center of an investigation into the 1998 theft of a Shakespeare First Folio from Durham University in northeast England. Scott recently admitted to enjoying the controversy, telling reporters from The Washington Post, “”I think I was preparing for this all my life, really. I just felt that I was destined for something a bit more than 9-to-5. I just felt that eventually, maybe I would make my mark on the world.” Late last week Scott added to media glare by issuing an open letter to Durham University, calling on the school to sell its library of rare books, which he described as ‘redundant relics.’
Scott was arrested earlier this month after showing up at the Folger Shakespeare Library wanting to have a copy of the First Folio authenticated. An independent expert working with the Folger determined the folio was the same one stolen ten years ago from the library at Durham University.
Scott claims he’s innocent of any criminal activity involving the stolen folio. He did, however, admit to the reporters from The Washington Post that he was previously arrested for stealing alcohol from a supermarket.
Scott says he obtained the folio from a family in Cuba and denies it’s the Durham copy. Scott’s ability to judge the provenance of the folio must be weighed against this own comments. He claims he became interested in antique books only seven years ago and says that at the time of the robbery, “I wouldn’t have known the difference between a First Folio Shakespeare and a paperback Jackie Collins.”
Scott has called on police to return the folio to him so he can auction it and donate a quarter of the proceeds to charity. Late last week he added to his demands by sending a letter his local newspaper, The Northern Echo, calling on Durham University to divest itself of all its rare books.
The letter reads in part:
“Durham University just wants yet another rare book to salt away in their ivory tower, for no one who is not part of the university can enter its hallowed portals.”
“Apparently the £15m Shakespeare book is just the tip of a gargantuan iceberg of rare books hoarded by them, miser fashion, while pleading poverty and the parsimony of Government grants.”
“Sold on the open market, these redundant relics would raise billions, yes, thousands of millions of pounds, which could benefit the university itself and the people of County Durham (I live in Tyne and Wear, alas) which is still a deprived area.”
“It has been said that it is essential for scholarship that all these books are under one roof, but I and many others dispute the relevance of this when, these days, everything can be recorded electronically.”
“Indeed, the very physical handling of these fragile keepsakes is strongly discouraged.”
“I think any fair-minded person will find this morally repugnant.”
“I say ‘Free The Books’.”
Professor Chris Higgins, Vice Chancellor of Durham University, quickly responded, “Bishop John Cosin established his library at Palace Green in the 17th Century with the aim of making his books available to the public and this continues to be the case. Durham University is custodian of many priceless treasures and we ensure they receive the specialist care and attention needed to preserve them for future generations, including residents of the North East. Thousands of scholars and members of the public have access to our libraries and archives every year, whether through private study or by visiting our regular exhibitions.”
Web Resources:
Northern Echo - ‘I will be cleared of charges over Shakespeare mystery’
