The Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library houses the Department of Rare Books and Special Collections including books, manuscripts and other materials; and the University of Toronto Archives and Records Management Services (UTARMS), which holds the official records of the University. The present building was opened in 1973. It is named in honour of Thomas Fisher (1792-1874), who came from Yorkshire to Upper Canada in 1821 and settled by the Humber River. There he operated a grist mill, and played an active role in the public life of the community. In 1973 his great- grandsons, Sidney and Charles Fisher, donated to the Library their own collections of Shakespeare, various twentieth century authors, and the etchings of the seventeenth century Bohemian artist, Wenceslaus Hollar. Since that time the Library has grown to approximately 700,000 volumes and 3,500 linear metres of manuscript holdings.

The Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library is posting material to Flickr in an attempt to provide wider access to some of its unique materials. The broad range of materials may include historical materials that may contain offensive language or negative stereotypes. Such materials must be viewed in the context of the relevant time period. The library does not endorse the views expressed in such materials.

For more resources: linktr.ee/thomasfisherlibrary