Lambeth Palace Library librarian joins our 'Arts and Sciences' forum
Wright & Wright has extended Lambeth Palace Library facilities to conserve the collection of priceless religious texts.
Future Cities Forum is delighted to be holding its 'Arts and Sciences Districts' forum at Lambeth Palace Library this month and to welcome Giles Mandelbrote, Librarian and Archivist, to our discussions.
Since 2010, Giles has served as the Librarian and Archivist of Lambeth Palace Library, the Church of England’s national library and archive, and has had a major role in the creation of a new, purpose-built nine-story building that is now offering the library’s first full programme of public events and exhibitions. Wright & Wright Architects has been responsible for the design of the new building and the extension to the library's facilities. Partner Stephen Smith will be joining our discussions.
Before moving to Lambeth, Giles spent 15 years as Curator of British Collections 1501-1800 at the British Library. He has served on committees of the Bibliographical Society, Private Libraries Association and Society of Antiquaries, as well as offering expert advice to the National Heritage Memorial Fund, the Heritage Lottery Fund, and the DCMS Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest.
He is a leading historian of the book trade and also a regular teacher of the History of the Book. Since 2008, he has been the co-convenor of a research seminar on the History of Libraries at the School of Advanced Study, which brings together the Warburg, the Institute of English Studies, and the Institute of Historical Research.
Giles will join the Warburg Institute as Librarian and Director of Collections in July and takes his place in a long line of scholar-librarians stretching back to the Institute’s early years in Hamburg. He joins the Warburg at a crucial moment in its history as it completes the £14.5m ‘Warburg Renaissance’ project that will create new facilities for collections, exhibitions, and events.
He said: "The Warburg Institute’s books, photographs and archives form an extraordinary and unique resource. It will be a privilege to contribute to the collection’s future at this exciting time and I am greatly looking forward to working with the library’s staff and the research community around it."
Bill Sherman, Director of the Warburg Institute, said: "We are very fortunate to find someone with the stature and experience of Giles Mandelbrote. His track-record as a librarian, scholar, and teacher is truly exceptional and his successful work at Lambeth will serve him - and us - well as we deliver the Warburg Renaissance."
Lambeth Palace Library has been working on its latest exhibition to celebrate the Coronation. The exhibition, is called “A declaration of our hopes for the future’: Coronations from the middle ages to the present day”. York Minster currently has an exhibition showcasing Royal treasures from the cathedral’s historic collection.
The Lambeth Palace Library exhibition will be open to the public until 13 July*. It will show material from the Lambeth Palace Library collections relating to previous coronations, from the coronation of Henry I in 1100 to Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953.
Highlights include the Coronation Charter of Henry I, the manuscript of the Coronation service prepared for William III and Mary II; Archbishop Wake’s notes for the Coronation of George II; a letter from George VI thanking Archbishop Lang for his part in the coronation ceremony; and the Bible upon which Elizabeth II swore her Coronation oath.
There will also be a display of artefacts until 14 June associated with previous Coronations, including the cope and mitre worn by Archbishop Fisher in 1953, and the large banners from the 1902 coronation from which Archbishop Frederick Temple had to read the service because of his failing eyesight.