British Library
British Library
The British Library is a treasure trove of the written word, housing just about every famous manuscript you can think of.
Here you can find:
-
The Gutenburg Bible
-
Caxton's Chaucer
-
Shakespeare's Quartos
-
Magna Carta
-
Lindisfarne Gospels
-
Captain Scott's Diary
-
Leonardo da Vinci's notebook
and of course much, much more.
You can view our online gallery HERE.
Learning at the British Library
The British Library offers an exciting programme of workshops, activities and resources for schools, teachers and learners of all ages. Explore fascinating topics online or plan a visit.
Our new English Literature website, Discovering Literature, is now live: discover 1,200 Romantic and Victorian literary treasures, new insights by 60 experts, 25 documentary films, 30 inspirational teachers’ notes and more.
Workshops and Visits
Find out more about our programme of workshops and visits.
A History of the Book in 100 Books
From inscriptions on tombs to the first writings on papyrus; from scrolls to the first bound codex books in Roman times; from exclusive and expensive hand-scribed books to the creation of movable type and the invention of printing for the masses; and from the printed book to the digital book, the e-book reader and beyond – discover the History of the Book in 100 Books.
The 100 books originate from around the world and cover subjects as diverse as religion, science, crime, travel and fashion. Classic examples, such as Gutenberg’s 42-Line Bible and the Book of Kells, are included alongside less well-known titles that have been selected to represent a stage in the history of book production or because of their content or impact. Each entry is placed inits specific historical context and includes connections to books across cultures and periods of time.