The London Library

The London Library was established in 1841 at a time when there were no lending libraries in London and before state-funded libraries existed. The London Library is one of the UK’s greatest literary institutions, providing a centre of creativity, inspiration and ideas for over 180 years.

Well-known members and frequent borrowers have included Charles Dickens, Virginia Woolf, EM Forster, Daphne du Maurier, TS Eliot, Muriel Spark and Ian Fleming. Current writers in membership include Sir Kazuo Ishiguro, Sir Simon Schama, Jessie Burton and Sarah Waters. Nearly all of its collection of around one million books can be borrowed with around 5,000 new books being added each year. It also offers a vast eLibrary resource of journals, eBooks and newspapers and invaluable postal loans service. The Library is a membership library and charity and membership is open to all.

Explore The Ladies' Who’s Who to uncover details about notable women from history. Fully indexed, this publication allows you to search by name and county of residence, making it an invaluable resource for genealogists and family historians. Whether tracing female ancestors or building a family tree, you can gain insights into the lives of remarkable women in literature, politics, science, and beyond.

Have you ever wondered if your ancestor played a role in shaping Ireland’s future? Delve into the Oireachtas Companion (1928–1930) and uncover the stories of those who served in Ireland’s young parliament. These invaluable records reveal the names, constituencies, and political lives of TDs and Senators, placing them in the heart of legislative change.

Have you ever wondered where your ancestors served, how their military career unfolded, or what became of them during wartime? Delve into this unique collection of War Office Lists from 1866 to 1921 and uncover a family hero or trace a lost story.