Chatsworth

The library at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire, England. Originally this room was the 1st Duke of Devonshire's Long Gallery, and the ceiling of gilded stucco survives from this time. The 6th Duke of Devonshire fitted the room out as a library in around 1830. There are over 17,000 volumes in the library and in the ante-library, and more than 50,000 in the whole collection.

House and seat of the dukes of Devonshire, 7 km/4 mi west of Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England. It was commenced by William Cavendish (1505-57) and completed by his widow, Bess of Hardwick (1518-1608). Chatsworth was gradually rebuilt in classical style from 1688 to 1707 by William, 1st Duke of Devonshire (1640-1707), who employed William Talman as his first architect, and later Thomas Archer who added the curved north front. The courtyard plan of the Elizabethan house was retained, but a long wing was added by the 6th duke from 1820, under Jeffrey Wyatville.

The house contains one of the world's finest collection of drawings, as well as outstanding picture and book collections. Joseph Paxton was gardener here, and some of his work remains.

It was here that Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned under the care of the Earl of Shrewsbury.