Exhibitions
The People's London
Insights from the collections of Senate House Library, University of London
11th April - 28th October 2005
Senate House Library organises two major themed exhibitions each year in the Exhibition Hall. This new exhibition, ‘The People’s London’, explores life in London for its inhabitants, from medieval times to the early twentieth century, and draws upon a wide range of printed book, archival and manuscript collections.
The approach taken enables different insights into London life. As examples, we are made aware of the Victorian underside with its poverty and the political agitation which this aroused; and London culture, not always of the highest kind. Two cases about ordinary life and dissent in London before 1700 set the scene. In the centre of the exhibition are images of a past London now lost.
The themes of the particular cases are:
- London before 1600
- Civil War, Plague and Fire
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Coffee Houses
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Radicalism, ca 1850-1914
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Chartism
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Foreign Radicals
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Social Conditions
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Entertainment
Together they provide a highly visual and enlightening record of London life, designed to encourage research and exploration in the Library’s collections.
‘The People’s London’ was researched by Dr Karen Attar, Rare Books Librarian; Feona Hamilton, Special Collections Cataloguer; Alun Ford, Special Collections Administrator; Roy Moxham, Senior Conservator; Mike Mulcay, Team Leader, Special Collections; Lesley Price, former Archivist; and Christine Wise, Head of Special Collections. It was mounted by Roy Moxham and Angela Craft, Conservator, with the assistance of Alexandra Bruce and Alison Hunter, Preservation Assistants. The exhibition catalogue was compiled by Karen Attar and the exhibition poster was designed by John Moore, Library IT Officer.
We hope that you enjoy our selection.
Christine Wise
Head of Special Collections
