The London Library is deeply saddened by the death of Sir Tom Stoppard OM.

A member of the Library since 1970, Sir Tom was our President for 15 years (2002-2017), after which he continued to serve as Vice-President.

Sir Tom gave his time generously to the Library and played a leading role in its development for the next generation and beyond.

In 2024, we named “The Stoppard Room” in his honour, recognising his work on behalf of the Library as well as paying tribute to his achievements as one of the country’s most distinguished and widely admired writers.

Director of The London Library Philip Marshall said: "Not only was Sir Tom one of the most exciting and brilliant playwrights of our time, he was one of the closest friends the Library has ever had. We shall be forever grateful for his tremendous support. Our thoughts are with all of Sir Tom’s family at this sad time."

The London Library is proud to announce the publication of the sixth annual volume of From the Silence of the Stacks, New Voices Rise, an anthology of work from the 2024/25 cohort of The London Library Emerging Writers Programme. A digital version of the anthology is available now on The London Library website, on Kindle and a hard copy is available to buy through the online shop. All proceeds go towards supporting the Emerging Writers Programme.

The anthology showcases a diverse range of writing which spans fiction, poetry, non-fiction, graphic novel. playwriting, screenwriting, and writing for children and young adults. The contributions delve into a vast array of histories, ideas, cultures, landscapes and real and imaginary worlds and offer a glimpse into some of the fascinating projects these talented writers have been working on at the Library.

The London Library’s Emerging Writers Programme is a year-long programme, geared towards supporting writers who have not yet published a full-length work of fiction, non-fiction, collection of poems, or had a full-length work professionally produced for stage or screen. Participants benefit from one year’s free membership of The London Library alongside a programme of writing development and networking opportunities, peer support, and guidance.

Membership to The London Library includes: access to its collection of around one million books and periodicals (almost all of which can be borrowed), a vast eLibrary, atmospheric workspaces in a beautiful building, a members’ suite, free nationwide postal loans, and discounted tickets to the Library’s popular public events programme. The annual Emerging Writers Anthology celebrates each member of the Programme by showcasing extracts from projects they worked on throughout the year.

Previous members of The London Library Emerging Writers Programme have gone on to achieve considerable success. Published or soon to be published writers include novelists Abi Daré, Amber Medland, Lianne Dillsworth, Russell Franklin, Krystle Zara Appiah, Sarah Marsh, Flora Carr, Katie Buckley, Lucy Steeds, Carole Hailey, Xenobe Purvis, Eli Zuzovsky, Thomas Peermohamed Lambert and Lisa Smith; poets Anastasia Taylor-Lind, Isabelle Baafi, Oakley Flanagan,Natalie Linh Bolderston, Courtney Conrad, Helen Bowell, Lisa Kiew, Eve Ellis and Zakia Carpenter-Hall; non-fiction writers Marina Gerner, Gaar Adams, Sarah Clegg, Alexis Keir, Harriet Rix, Carla Montemayor and Grace Quantock; graphic novelists Ella Baron and Miriam Gold; children’s writers Gita Raleigh, Gayathiri Kalamakanthan and Natasha Hastings; and screenwriters and playwrights who have had work commissioned and/or produced across TV/film, radio and stage include Paolo Chianta, Ayad Andrews, Megan Smith, Daniel Marc Janes, Sid Sagar, Esohe Uwadiae, Jess Edwards, Zia Holloway and Temo Majekodunmi.