Story & Heritage

The London Library was founded in 1841 by Thomas Carlyle and fellow writers who believed in open access to books and ideas.

Woman walking through stacks in the library

Created as an independent alternative to more restricted institutions of the time, the Library has remained member-supported for 185 years. Its distinctive stack system and evolving collection reflect a living history of reading and research.

Throughout its history, writers and members have described the Library as an essential space for thinking, writing, and discovery.

Open access for almost 200 years

Story & Heritage

The London Library was founded in 1841 by Thomas Carlyle and fellow writers who believed in open access to books and ideas. Early supporters and members included writers such as Charles Dickens, Harriet Martineau, W.D. Christie and William Gladstone. Prince Albert became the Library’s first Patron, beginning a tradition of royal patronage that continues today.

Created as an independent alternative to more restricted institutions of the time, the Library has remained member-supported for 185 years. Its distinctive classification system and evolving collection reflect a living history of reading and research, and the Library is often described by members as an essential space for thinking, writing, and discovery.

1841

The Library opens at 49 Pall Mall, London as the capital’s first “large, general, comprehensive lending library” with 2,500 books. The Earl of Clarendon is appointed inaugural President, WE Gladstone and Sir Edward Bunbury were on the first committee. John Cochrane is appointed first Librarian (and serves until 1852).

Before the Library even opened its doors in 1841, 500 members had signed up in support of the committee’s endeavours.

A historic view of the Art Room, its walls lined floor to ceiling with books beneath a skylight.

A galleried reading room with tables, armchairs and book presses, photographed in 1935.

A long book-lined gallery with a day bed and reading stand, photographed in 1935.

A sepia photograph of an 1880s reading room, its walls lined with books beside a fireplace.

An engraving captioned "Reading Room, London Library", showing readers at desks in 1902.

Staff and servicemen clearing wreckage from the Art Room after the 1944 bombing.

Bomb damage in a Library room, plaster and broken shelving covering the floor.

Bomb damage to the Library building, upper floors and roof destroyed.

"It's an indispensable institution for writers and researchers alike, to say nothing of readers all over the country who would be lost without it."

A.C. Grayling

"There is a quality of serenity I find in the London Library that makes it special and conducive to work and reflection."

Paul Theroux

London Library Members

The London Library is the world's largest independent library and a membership-based charity, providing a centre of creativity, inspiration and ideas for 185 years. From its foundation, the Library has been associated with many of the most prominent writers and thinkers of the day.

Well-known members and frequent borrowers have included: AS Byatt, Angela Carter, Charles Darwin, Charles Dickens, TS Eliot, Ian Fleming, EM Forster, Daphne du Maurier, Muriel Spark, Bram Stoker, Sir Tom Stoppard and Virginia Woolf.

Current writers in membership include: Raymond Antrobus, Jessie Burton, Sir Kazuo Ishiguro, Sir Simon Schama and Sarah Waters. The Library is also championed by its President and member of over 30 years, Helena Bonham Carter CBE.

These famous names are part of a much wider community of 7,500 members who find the Library’s resources invaluable. Our members come from all ages and backgrounds and membership is open to all. On a daily basis, members of the public, authors, academics, students, researchers and people from a host of professional backgrounds share our facilities and their love of learning, creating a unique cultural institution in the heart of London.

Support

The London Library is an independent registered charity that relies on philanthropic funding. Every donation helps support a unique literary institution that has inspired readers, writers and researchers for more than 185 years.

There are many ways to support the Library, from individual giving and legacy gifts to corporate sponsorships, partnerships and support for specific projects and programmes.

Help sustain the Library