Tradionally the family sitting room, the Library today is as Holland left it, save for the plaster ceiling added by John MacVicar Anderson in 1877. Too long for its elevation, Holland harmonised the room by cropping the end bays and inserting the pillars. The books represent the remnants of the astonish-ing private library amassed by the Second Earl, which at one time was the finest private library in the world. Comprising 40,000 early printed books, including 58 Caxtons, it was sold complete in 1892, and is now the John Rylands Library, Manchester University.

Over the fireplace is a work by Sir Joshua Reynolds painted in 1786, of John Charles, Viscount Althorp. He became the Third Earl Spencer, co-founder of the Royal Agricultural Society, and he was also a great politician. He became Chancellor of the Exchequer and helped put through the Reform Bill. He had no heirs, losing his wife in childbirth. The costume was copied for the present Lord Spencer's wedding, his pageboys wearing a similar costume slightly differing in colouring.

The curving library steps, reproduced in the Dictionary of English Furniture, are fitted with seat and bookrest and the original wire netting. On the shelves is the original family Bible. The first entry is 'John Spencer, married Georgiana Poyntz, 20th December 1755'. It has been continuously brought up to date with the final entry of the late Earl Spencer, born in London, 24th January 1924.

Georgiana Poyntz (1727-1814), Countess Spencer, by Sir Tomas Gainsborough.

John Charles, Viscount Althorp, aged four, by Sir Joshua Reynolds 1786.

Lavinia Bingham, wife of the Second Earl Spencer by Sir Joshua Reynolds.