In Donation highlights we introduce you to specific collections the Heythrop Library has received as a donation, and that we have added to our holdings. Each post will focus on a different donor, and the books they have kindly gifted to us. In this first post in the series, we are highlighting books from the collection of Dan Docherty (1935-2023), assembled and donated to us by Anne Docherty.
Former owner of collection:
Dan Docherty, 1935-2023.
Donated by:
Anne Docherty.
Biographical information:
Dan always loved learning and in his spare time he enjoyed studying an enormous range of subjects. His curiosity seemed limitless and he loved browsing in second-hand bookshops. Once he had retired from his career in IT, he developed his main passion which was Theology. He did two distance learning degrees, firstly at Oxford and then at Heythrop from 2001-2004. He built up a private Theology library, specialising mainly in Liberation Theology and Contemporary Theology. He spent hours in his library surrounded by books lying open while he wrote copious notes. Dan greatly treasured his book collection and would be so pleased to know that they continue to be read and appreciated today. (Anne Docherty, 30 March 2026)
Summary of whole collection:
Books on liberation theology and contemporary theology.
Summary of what is included at Heythrop Library:
It will be clear from the list of donated titles that this is indeed a diverse and accessible collection, of interest to a wide-range of readers. As a theology library primarily accessed by users interested in Catholic theology, we were particularly keen to add titles on Catholic social teaching, the Jesuits, Christian spirituality, and contemporary areas of theological research. We are also always interested in increasing our holdings in areas concerning social justice and the Church; not only does this reflect the values of the Jesuits as a whole, but it keeps the collection relevant to our users, especially those enrolled on various courses at the London Jesuit Centre, and those with pastoral responsibilities within the Church community. (Sophia Venable, Assistant Librarian, 30 March 2026)
Curated selection of the donated books to highlight:
Responses to 101 questions on Catholic social teaching / Kenneth R. Himes, O.F.M (2001)
Answers questions about the tradition of Catholic social teaching, arranged in categories as Ecclesiological issues, foundational themes, political life, economic life, international life and specific concerns.
Christ on trial : how the gospel unsettles our judgement / Rowan Williams.
Bringing the gospel accounts vividly to life, Rowan Williams looks at how the trial of Christ profoundly challenges both what we believe and how we live. Drawing not only from the Bible, but also from contemporary fiction, film and theatre, he explores the ways society continues to put Christ on trial today.
The Jesuits : the Society of Jesus and the betrayal of the Roman Catholic Church / Malachi Martin.
Looks at the four and a half century history of the Society of Jesus, argues that the Jesuits are becoming enemies of the papacy, and discusses the issues involved.
The man who created Narnia : the story of C.S. Lewis / Michael Coren.
Coren explores Lewis’s life as a scholar, his friendship with other writers such as Tolkien, the Christianity that underlies his writing, and the great love story of his final years. Coren has also written biographies of G.K. Chesterton and H.G. Wells.
Baudrillard live : selected interviews / edited by Mike Gane.
In this collection of his most important interviews the reader gains a unique and accessible overview of Baudrillard’s key ideas. The collection includes many interviews that appear in English for the first time as well as a fascinating interview and encounter between the editor and Baudrillard in Paris.
Link to the list of books in this donation:
https://hey.koha.openfifth.net/cgi-bin/koha/opac-shelves.pl?op=view&shelfnumber=53&sortfield=title
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