The “rags to riches” story of Richard Whittington’s life, the legendary fire that tore through London, and the genius who designed an architectural icon feature in the new events programme at the Corporation’s Guildhall Library.
The self-styled ‘Library of London’s History’ has released its September to December events programme, which includes a wide range of talks and walks and in particular, its ‘Whittington, The Man, The Myth, and the Cat’ exhibition, which opens on 7 October and tells the story of the celebrated merchant, politician, and philanthropist.
Other highlights include:
- ‘The Great Fire of London’ – Monday 2 September, 2 – 3pm
Three hundred and fifty years ago, the burned. The flames consumed houses, churches, livery halls, city gates, the Royal Exchange, and St. Paul’s Cathedral. This talk by Guide and lecturer, Jill Finch, takes us through those momentous days in September 1666.
- ‘A Singular Bridge’ – Thursday 26 September, 2 – 3pm
For centuries, the only bridge in London to cross the Thames, the history of London Bridge from Roman times to the present is the subject of this talk by Pete Smith. Discover who was buried over water, when an elephant didn’t need a bridge to cross the river, and much more.
- ‘Can art change the world?’ – Tuesday 22 October, 2 – 3pm
This lecture by Arts Society lecturer, Val Woodgate, concentrates on those artists who have used their art to communicate ideas, opinions, and fears about their world and in doing so, tell us a great deal about the period in which the works of art were created. These powerful, moving, and sometimes disturbing works of art deal with a variety of political and social concerns.
- ‘Weird things found on the riverbank’, Thursday 21 November, 2 – 3pm
Jenny Ridgewell is a licensed mudlark and will tell stories of the strange things found on her riverbank searches, based on her book, Guide to Mudlarking.
- ‘Six Degrees of Christopher Wren’ – Monday 25 November, 2 – 3pm
This talk by City Guide and lecturer, Jill Finch, is on the life and extraordinary time of Christopher Wren. From Wiltshire to Oxford and Cambridge and eventually to London, where he became a professor at Gresham College, a founder of the Royal Society and, of course, architect of St. Paul’s Cathedral.
- ‘Things are looking up’ – Saturday 7 December, 11am – 1pm
If you keep your eyes on the pavement, you may pick up a few pennies but if you look up as you pass through the streets, you could make some discoveries. Meet Pete Smith in the booking hall of Embankment station. [£10, plus booking fee]
Chairman of the Corporation’s Culture, Heritage, and Libraries Committee, Munsur Ali, said:
“One of our most popular public services, Guildhall Library always delivers on its events, whether they are fascinating talks held in the John Stow Room, or viewable online, or a guided walk around the City’s streets and alleyways.
“Whether you want to find out about the Great Fire, some of the library’s literary treasures, mudlarking on the Thames foreshore, Richard Whittington – and whether or not he actually had a cat – there will be something in this new events programme to appeal to you.”
Destination City is the Corporation’s growth strategy for the Square Mile as a world-leading business and leisure location, and is delivering a seven-day-a-week Square Mile that is a global magnet for businesses and residents, visitors, and workers alike.
The Corporation is one of the largest funders of heritage and cultural activities in the UK, investing 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.
ENDS
';
