Universities everywhere strive to enhance resources to improve facilities, increase staffing, provide bursaries for students and expand research capacity. As one of the world's oldest and greatest universities, the University of Cambridge has throughout its 800 years cultivated and received philanthropic support from many sources. This volume, originally published in 1904, details university endowments from the thirteenth century onward. The first major donation, from Nigel de Thornton, was land for part of the site of the University Library. This was soon followed by a fund bequeathed by Eleanor of Castile for the support of poor students – confirming how key priorities have not changed over so many years. This ambitious volume catalogues benefactions, grants, foundations, memorial funds and much more. Explanations are given for how these endowments have helped establish and maintain many of the University's fine libraries, museums and historic buildings as well as supporting its students and staff.