The dusty shelves of the Phoenix Public Library's Rare Book Room yielded a historic jackpot—a 437-year-old annotated book believed to be once owned by John Milton, the famed author of "Paradise Lost." Experts are buzzing since this discovery could add a significant layer to the understanding of one of literature's giants and influential thinkers on free speech.

During a gathering that featured Arizona State University faculty and four international scholars at Burton Barr Central Library, the Alfred Knight Collection's copy of "Holinshed's Chronicles," dated back to 1587, was found to bear the handwriting of Milton himself, according to the City of Phoenix's official news release. The chronicles were notably a source for many of Shakespeare’s plays and now, this particular copy, once sitting in the same building where teens toil over college applications, is reclassified as a rare artifact of historical significance.

While the discovery was made just last month, word is just hitting the streets now, exciting scholars and bookworms alike. This annotated tome is only the third known book containing Milton's personal notes, offering a direct link to the author, who stood as an ardent proponent for freedom of speech—a fiery topic that resonates amidst today's national dialogues.

Adding to the allure of this find is the fact that such a valuable piece of literary history is housed within the accessible public library—a true jackpot for the local community and historians worldwide. "Finding the handwriting and real-time thoughts of one of history's most impassioned defenders of both the freedom of speech and of the press seems like kismet," the Phoenix Public Library enthused, coming at the heels of heated debates around these very principles Milton defended nearly 350 years ago, the library’s report reveals.