College libraries can be claustrophobic, institutional affairs that seem more concerned with eliminating distractions than providing an scholarly atmosphere, but the George Peabody Library on the campus of Johns Hopkins University was seemingly designed to create a space where simply studying feels monumental.
Built in 1878 at the behest of philanthropist George Peabody, the library was originally part of an arts and culture institute he created to be available to the people of his beloved Baltimore. The space was designed with a huge open air atrium at its core with each level of the library overlooking the central space. It is outfitted in ornate railings and patterned marble floors and naturally lit in the daytime by a criss-crossed skylight six floors above the hall. The beautiful and cavernous space was described fittingly described as a "cathedral of books."
Most of the collection are reference works dating to the late 19th century on subjects ranging from archaeology to science to literature.
Even though today the library is located on the Johns Hopkins campus, the George Peabody Library is still open to the general public as per Peabody's original intention. But it seems that Peabody left more than a repository of knowledge for the city by creating a gorgeous space in which to enjoy it.
