Describing itself as ‘The Library of London History’ and owing a debt of gratitude to City philanthropist and four-term Lord Mayor, Richard Whittington, Guildhall Library is holding a series of talks, walks, and literary viewings throughout 2025 to celebrate 600 years since it was founded.
The Corporation-owned library focuses on London history and houses the largest collection devoted to a single city in the world, as well as collections on early printed books, English law, Parliamentary records, clocks and clockmakers, business history, and maritime records.
Guildhall Library also has the unique distinction of holding the largest collection of food and wine books of any public reference library in the UK; a collection of sensational 19th century cheap fiction, known as ‘bloods’ and ‘penny dreadfuls’, and one of the world’s finest copies of Shakespeare’s First Folio.
The library currently welcomes over 50,000 visitors through its doors every year from around the world, including academics, students, and City workers, and has forged links with community groups, local universities, and schools.
During this celebratory year, one of the stand-out events will be held on 13 February, during which guests will view some of the library’s literary treasures, including medieval manuscripts, ‘penny dreadfuls’, and printed documents (i.e. not handwritten) dating from before 1501 and known as ‘incunabula.’
The events programme also includes talks on the City and Magna Carta; the Square Mile’s hidden and unusually named alleyways; the life and work of celebrated artist, David Hockney; and London historian, John Stow, whose ‘Survey of the City’ was published in 1598 and chronicles the founding of the original library.
The first library at Guildhall was established around 1425, using money from Richard Whittington’s will which, although left to charity and the City, did not explicitly mention establishing Guildhall Library.
A two-storey library opened for the use of the College of Priests at Guildhall but, after the dissolution of the monasteries, the Crown seized control of the building. William Cecil borrowed the remaining books – most likely, acting on behalf for the Duke of Somerset, and to furnish his official residence, Somerset House.
The books were never returned and the library was turned into storage, leaving a gap of around 300 years until a small library was opened in 1828 for elected Members of the City Corporation. As the library grew in size and importance, it became a public library, open to everyone in 1873. In October 1974, Guildhall Library transferred to a new building in Guildhall’s West Wing, housing three sections – Printed Books, Prints and Maps, and Manuscripts.
Chairman of the Corporation’s Culture, Heritage, and Libraries Committee, Munsur Ali, said:
“Founded six centuries ago and owing far more to Richard Whittington than it does to the Duke of Somerset under Edward VI’s reign, Guildhall Library deserves to be celebrated this year.
“There will be something for everyone in the events programme, such as the opportunity to view 14th century books up close, a walk around Soho, talks on the creation of Magna Carta, and the legacy of Richard Whittington and his questionable ownership of a cat.
“I hope that as many people as possible will be encouraged to find out more about our wonderful library and its impressive collections, and to sign up for some of the events in this celebratory year.”
Guildhall Library is an integral part of the City’s rich and vibrant arts and cultural offering, and forms part of Destination City, the Corporation’s growth strategy for the Square Mile as a world-leading business and leisure location.
The Corporation is one of the largest funders of heritage and cultural activities in the UK and invests over £130m every year. The organisation manages a range of world-class cultural and heritage institutions, including the Barbican Centre, Tower Bridge, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Guildhall Art Gallery, The London Archives, and Keats House. It also supports the London Symphony Orchestra and the London Museum, which is due to open in 2026.
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