Historian Tom Holland inaugurated as Durham Cathedral’s first Bede Librarian

Historian and author Tom Holland was officially made Durham Cathedral’s first Bede Librarian during a special Choral Evensong on Monday 25 May 2026. The service, held to mark the Feast of the Venerable Bede, saw Holland take on the new honorary role created to promote the cathedral’s historic archives and collections while celebrating the legacy of the seventh-century scholar and saint buried there.

The renowned writer, co-host of The Rest Is History podcast and author of acclaimed works such as Rubicon and Dominion, described the appointment as a great privilege. He said he would never forget the inauguration and had loved reconnecting with this special place and its story. The service featured a sermon by Professor Alec Ryrie from Durham University, with music provided by the Chapel Choir of the College of St Hild and St Bede.

Celebrations continued the following evening with a sold-out Durham Cathedral Institute event, where Holland addressed over 700 people on the topic of Cuthbert, Bede and the Renewal of Culture. Hosted by the Dean of Durham, the Very Revd Dr Philip Plyming, the lecture explored the enduring cultural significance of two of North East England’s most influential saints. During his visit, Holland met with Alison Cullingford, the cathedral’s Head of Library and Collections, and toured the areas where the collections are kept.

Dr Plyming expressed enthusiasm for the appointment, saying Holland communicates brilliantly on Cuthbert and Bede and their significance today. He added that Bede continues to inspire and has much to say to a generation seeking meaning, hope and truth. Known as the Father of English History and author of around 40 books, Bede’s legacy is at the heart of the new role, which is set to draw fresh attention to the cathedral’s two-millennia-spanning collections and the saint whose tomb rests within its walls.