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Exterior of British Museum - reading room 1855
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Exterior of British Museum - reading room 1855
Construction of the great Reading Room of the British Museum, the forerunner of the British Library Date: 1855
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Media ID 20151885
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Bubblepunk
1850s 1855 Constructing Forerunner Libraries
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph captures the construction progress of the iconic Great Reading Room at the British Museum in London during the year 1855. The image offers a glimpse into the past, showcasing the meticulous process of building this architectural marvel, which would later become a forerunner of the British Library. During the 1850s, the British Museum underwent significant expansion to accommodate the growing collection of books and manuscripts. The Great Reading Room was designed by the renowned architect Sir Robert Smirke, with the primary objective of creating a communal space where scholars and researchers could access the vast resources of the museum's library. The photograph reveals the intricate details of the construction process, with workers meticulously laying bricks, installing iron beams, and erecting the glass roof. The grandeur of the design is evident even in its incomplete state, with the vast open space and the ornate ironwork columns that would later support the weight of the room's impressive glass roof. The Great Reading Room was a groundbreaking innovation in its time, as it was one of the first large public spaces designed specifically for quiet study and research. It was also a testament to the importance of communication and knowledge sharing, as scholars from all over the world would come to London to access the British Museum's extensive collections. This photograph is an invaluable historical record of a pivotal moment in the development of the British Museum and the broader world of libraries and scholarly research. It serves as a reminder of the enduring importance of preserving and sharing knowledge, and the role that institutions like the British Museum continue to play in fostering intellectual curiosity and discovery.
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