Who started the first lending library?

There isn't a single, definitive answer to who started the first lending library. The concept of sharing books existed long before formal libraries were established.

Here are some historical points to consider:

* Ancient Libraries: Ancient civilizations like the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans had libraries, but these were primarily collections for scholarly purposes, not public lending.

* Monasteries: During the Middle Ages, monasteries often held collections of books, and some monks may have lent books to others, though it wasn't a widespread practice.

* Early Lending Libraries: The earliest documented lending libraries, focused on lending books to the public, emerged in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Notable Early Lending Libraries:

* The Circulating Library, London (1731): Established by Allan Ramsay, this is often cited as the first public lending library in England.

* The Library Company of Philadelphia (1731): Founded by Benjamin Franklin, this institution promoted literacy and knowledge sharing. It's considered one of the first subscription libraries in the United States.

So, while it's difficult to pinpoint the absolute "first" lending library, these examples highlight the early development of libraries that focused on lending books to the public.