Judith and Robert Raymo Chaucer Collection Opens to Researchers
Collections
Image from Chaucer for children: A Golden Key. Illustrated with eight coloured pictures and numerous woodcuts by the author. Mrs. H.R. Haweis. London: Chatto and Windus, 1907.
Published September 22, 2026
The Judith and Robert Raymo Chaucer Collection is now open for research. Over 500 rare volumes, including early editions from the 16th century and fine press editions with distinctive illustrations, have been cataloged and integrated into the Mortimer Rare Book Collection. This rich trove of Chaucerean scholarship can be explored by the Smith community and external researchers through our online catalog using Discover Advanced and consulted in person in the Gloria Steinem ‘56 Special Collections Reading Room in Neilson Library.
“The Raymo Chaucer Collection is tailor-made for the study of Chaucer's reception and transmission over the centuries," says scholar Megan Cook, Arthur Jeremiah Roberts Associate Professor of Literature at Colby College, who has worked with the collection. She noted that the "collection has rich stories to tell about fine press printing, children's literature and adaptation, illustration, the history of education, and the history of editing.”
Curator of Rare Books Erin McGuirl is already using the Chaucer materials in the classroom, leveraging the collectors’ expansive vision of The Canterbury Tales and is thrilled to have more to share with students this semester.
In addition to donating the collection, Judith Raymo '53 has funded a fellowship award to bring Chaucerians to Northampton to engage with the collection. Candace Barrington of Central Connecticut State University received the 2026 inaugural Raymo Fellowship.
McGuirl and Director of Special Collections Elizabeth Myers extend their warmest wishes and gratitude to Judy for entrusting the collection to Smith. The Mortimer Rare Book Collection is already home to the Judith Raymo Collection of Sylvia Plath at Smith College.
Read more about the collection.