British Library
British Library
96 Euston Road
London
Greater London
NW1 2DB
England
Website
Visitor Enquiries
Telephone
Visitor Services
020 7412 7332
Events Box Office
01937 546546
Fax
Visitor Information (fax)
020 7412 7340
The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom, and one of the world's greatest libraries. Set up in 1973, with galleries formerly in the British Museum building, it moved to its spectacular flagship new home at St Pancras in Central London in 1997.
The John Ritblat Gallery: Treasures of the British Library, PACCAR Gallery of Living Words and the Workshop of Words, Sound and Images offer permanent displays and a changing programme of special thematic exhibitions. We also have the best permanent display of stamps and philately in the world.
The King's Library, housed in a 17-metre glass-walled tower at the heart of the building, plus a number of major works of art, can be seen by all visitors. The Library also offers a wide programme of events, including talks, music and discussions, all developing themes and ideas associated with the collections.
Venue Type:
Archive, Library, Gallery
The British Library is custodian of the most important research collection in the world, spanning almost 3,000 years and every continent. This covers books, journals, manuscripts, stamps, patents, sound recordings, printed music and maps.
The John Ritblat Gallery is home to a permanent exhibition of over 200 of the Library's most significant items. These include the Codex Sinaiticus (c. 350), Magna Carta (1215), the Gutenberg Bible (1455), and Shakespeare's First Folio (1623) as well as religious, literary, historical and musical works in the handwriting of Leonardo da Vinci, Lord Nelson, Lewis Carroll, Handel, Sir Paul McCartney and many others.
The award-winning Turning the Pages was developed by the Library and uses high quality digitised images to simulate actually turning the pages of a precious book. The PACCAR Gallery is home to temporary exhibitions. The Workshop of Words, Sound and Images is an interactive gallery which traces the story of book production and sound recording.
Collection details
World Cultures, Social History, Science and Technology, Religion, Personalities, Music, Literature, Decorative and Applied Art, Archives
Poetry in Sound: The Music of Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)
Benjamin Britten is often described as the greatest English composer since Purcell. His compositional output spans almost every musical genre, from opera to string quartets to solo songs. Instantly recognisable, his music is imbued with the spirit of his time and place, yet it transcends cultural and geographical boundaries. This exhibition explores the poetic and literary influences on his distinctive musical sound world, including his creative collaboration with W.H. Auden and his settings of texts by such authors as William Blake, Wilfred Owen, Alfred Lord Tennyson, and William Shakespeare. Alongside the manuscripts of some of Britten’s most celebrated compositions, the exhibition will feature photographs, concert programmes, and hitherto unpublished recordings of his music.
Suitable for
Admission
Free
Propaganda: Power and Persuasion
Propaganda: Power and Persuasion is the first exhibition to explore international state propaganda from the 20th and 21st centuries. From the eye-opening to the mind-boggling, from the beautiful to the surprising, posters, films, cartoons, sounds and texts reveal the myriad ways that states try to influence and persuade their citizens.
#BLPropaganda
Admission
Adults: £9
Over 60s: £7
Other concessions: £5
Under 18s: Free
Website
The Art and Business of Persuasion
Advertising legend Trevor Beattie, whose campaigns brought us ‘Hello Boys’ and ‘fcuk’ joins 'PR guru' Mark Borkowski, author of Improperganda and The Fame Formula, for a revealing conversation on how to make an impact in the fast-moving worlds of media and business.
Chaired by Carla Buzasi, Editor in Chief of The Huffington Post UK
When
6:30-8pm
Admission
£7.50 / £5 concessions
Website
Africa Writes
Enjoy a vibrant programme of free book launches, readings, discussions, performances, family activities and a book fair, showcasing the best established and rising literary talent from Africa and the diaspora.
This event is part of Africa Writes, a celebration of contemporary African literature from across the continent and the diaspora in association with the Royal African Society
Admission
Some events are free while others are charged for. Please see the website for details.
Website
Two Writers, Two Generations: Ngugi wa Thiong'o and Mukoma Wa Ngugi
Acclaimed author Ngugi wa Thiong'o and his son, Mukoma Wa Ngugi, discuss their respective preoccupations and aspirations as writers of different generations, spanning the history of Africa's independence and its contemporary literary scene. Chaired by Ellah Allfrey, Deputy Editor of Granta Magazine.
When
6:30-8pm
Admission
£7.50 / £5 concessions
Website
Matt Forde: The Political Party
Matt will open the show with a mix of topical stand-up and political impressions and then introduce a leading figure from the world of politics, to discuss and debate their views and beliefs, before throwing it open to the audience for their questions. Guests so far have included George Galloway, Jack Straw, Nigel Farage and Charles Clarke. Tonight’s guest is to be announced soon.
When
7-9pm
Admission
£14 / £12 concessions
Website
- About
- | Collections
- | Exhibitions
- | Events
- | Resources
- | Map
