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The Light That Failed
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Written by Rudyard Kipling.
Date of creation: unknown (after 1891)
Originally part of the Warders' Library Collection.
Now in private hands.
Ownership stamps: Warders Library Pentridge and Penal Department
Cataloging Information: F1439
Leatherbound, Rebound: 6.12.1911
This book belonged to the Warders' Library at Pentridge Prison which in 1878 was
"situated between the entrance gates and strange to say although this is constantly under the surveillance of a non-commissioned officer no papers are allowed in it, but the officials inside can and in fact have sent their prisoner servant to the gate for their daily papers". ...”
“There are two libraries in Pentridge. There is the Warders' Library, a really excellent collection of the best modern and standard books, kept up by subscriptions among the staff ; and the Prisoners' library, kept up by the State, and under the charge of Mr Cook, the Pentridge schoolmaster.”
The Warders’ Library frequently served as a venue for committee meetings and inquiries.
The Argus identified the Warders’ Library at Pentridge as a subscriber in 1899.
Inmates were appointed to the role of librarians.
In 1927, prisoner
“Henry Tacke was severely injured in a fall at Pentridge Gaol. When the wardens went to his cell as usual to escort him to the warders' library, where he worked as librarian, he suddenly climbed up the bar to a height of 18 feet, then pitched headlong to the stone floor of his cell. He was picked up unconscious and conveyed to Melbourne Hospital. (..)”
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