Books and manuscripts collected by Francis Douce (1757-1834) and bequeathed to the Bodleian, including books of hours, French romances, and early English literature.

Francis Douce (1757-1834) was educated to be a merchant and a lawyer, but is best known for his literary and antiquarian pursuits, and as a great book collector. He was a Keeper of the Manuscripts at the British Museum from c. 1807 to 1811, and took part in the preparation of the Lansdowne and Harleian catalogues. His large library of manuscripts and printed books had particular strengths in English literature, especially Shakespeare, illuminated Books of Hours and French romances. He bequeathed all his manuscripts, printed books, coins and prints to the Bodleian Library.

A catalogue of all Douce manuscripts and printed books by H. O. Coxe was published in 1840, and later supplemented by entries in the Summary Catalogue.