# Centre for the History of the Book

> Interdisciplinary centre of text history

**Wikidata**: [Q5062624](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5062624)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centre_for_the_History_of_the_Book)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/centre-for-the-history-of-the-book

## Summary
The Centre for the History of the Book is an interdisciplinary research institute located in the United Kingdom dedicated to the study of text history. It functions as a specialized organization focused primarily on generating new knowledge through systematic investigation, distinct from teaching universities or commercial entities.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: Identified as an instance of a "research institute," an organization whose primary purpose is research.
- **Location**: Situated in the United Kingdom at coordinates 55.9437° latitude and -3.1871° longitude.
- **Focus**: Specializes in the interdisciplinary history of the text.
- **Identifiers**: Assigned the Freebase ID `/m/02q3n_q`.
- **Digital Presence**: Maintains one sitelink on Wikipedia (English language edition).
- **Wikidata Description**: Defined as an "Interdisciplinary centre of text history."

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary function of the Centre for the History of the Book?
A: As a research institute, its primary purpose is to conduct research. Unlike universities that balance teaching with research, the centre exists specifically to generate new knowledge regarding the history of texts.

### Q: Where is the Centre for the History of the Book located?
A: The centre is located in the United Kingdom. Geographic data places it at specific coordinates 55.9437, -3.1871.

### Q: How does this centre differ from a standard university department?
A: While university departments often divide attention between teaching obligations and research, this entity is structured as a dedicated research institute. This allows for a concentrated focus on investigation and text history without the distraction of undergraduate education or degree granting.

## Why It Matters
The Centre for the History of the Book serves as a dedicated engine for discovery in the field of text history. By operating as a specialized research institute rather than a general academic department, it provides a focused environment for interdisciplinary inquiry. It allows scholars to pursue the systematic investigation of textual evolution, free from the commercial pressures of corporate research or the administrative loads typical of broad university faculties. In the landscape of knowledge-producing institutions, it represents critical infrastructure for understanding the historical context and development of written communication.

## Notable For
- **Specialized Focus**: Dedicated exclusively to the interdisciplinary history of the text.
- **Organizational Structure**: Distinguished as a standalone research institute rather than a sub-unit within a larger organization.
- **Geographic Specificity**: Uniquely positioned within the United Kingdom to serve as a hub for this field of study.

## Body

### Organizational Classification
The Centre for the History of the Book is formally classified as a **research institute**. This classification places it within a distinct category of knowledge-producing institutions. Unlike scientific societies or learned societies, which often function as membership organizations, this centre is an operational entity conducting hands-on investigation.

In the context of library and knowledge organization systems, the concept of a research institute (the centre's class) is mapped to `schema.org/ResearchOrganization` and identified by the Geonames feature code `S.ITTR`. It is differentiated from think tanks, which focus on policy research; instead, the centre focuses on fundamental inquiry within the humanities discipline of text history.

### Geography and Location
The entity is geographically located in the **United Kingdom**. Precise coordinate data places the centre at a latitude of **55.9437** and a longitude of **-3.1871**. This specific location anchors the institute's physical presence, distinguishing it from purely digital or distributed research networks.

### Identity and Linked Data
The Centre for the History of the Book maintains specific identifiers across various knowledge graphs. It is listed under the **Freebase ID** `/m/02q3n_q`. Within the Wikidata ecosystem, the entity is described as an "Interdisciplinary centre of text history." It has a digital footprint that includes a Wikipedia title match, though currently, it has a **sitelink count of 1**, indicating a presence primarily on the English Wikipedia.