Building    From 1840  To 1894

Westminster Library

Categories: Museums / Libraries

In 1856 the Vestry Council of St Margaret and St John in Westminster provided premises for a public library as described in the 1855 Public Libraries Act, thus beating other London parishes by 30 years.

From the Encyclopedia of Library and Information Science: Volume 33: "The old Westminster Literary, Scientific, and Mechanics Institution, occupying a site now covered by Church House in Great Smith Street, became the first Westminster public library and the first in London as a whole." At its source the image is captioned "The first public library in London, at Great Smith Street (1857)". 

The library function of this building was replaced in 1893 by the red brick "Old Westminster Library" on the opposite side of the street and that must be when (c.1894) the building pictured here was demolished, since Church House was, partially, built in 1891 - 1902.

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Westminster Library

Commemorated ati

Old Westminster Library - foundation stone

Westminster Public Library The united parishes of St Margaret and St John the...

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Other Subjects

J. Duff-Brown

J. Duff-Brown

Islington Librarian in 1906.  We believe he also published books on librarianship.

Person, Museums / Libraries

1 memorial
Alfred Cotgreave

Alfred Cotgreave

Alfred Cotgreave was born on 7 June 1846 in Eccleston, Cheshire, the son of Robert and Mary Cotgreave and was baptised as Alfred Robert Cotgreave on 4 April 1847 in St Catherine's Church, Tranmere,...

Person, Museums / Libraries, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Dome of Discovery

Dome of Discovery

Erected for the Festival of Britain in 1951.

Building, Museums / Libraries

1 memorial
Cecil Sharp

Cecil Sharp

Collector of English folk-songs and dances. Born Denmark Hill. Spent 1882 - 92 in Australia. Developed an interest in English folk-music in 1899 and began his prolific collection which later expand...

Person, Dance, Museums / Libraries, Music / songs, Australia

1 memorial
Victoria & Albert Museum

Victoria & Albert Museum

The South Kensington Museum opened on this site in 1857. It expanded and was renamed the Victoria & Albert Museum in 1899. A further expansion by Aston Webb opened in 1909. Also see Francis Fow...

Building, Museums / Libraries

4 memorials