This celebratory event showcases a variety of precious items, from writers’ archives to single manuscripts, rare books and even rarer personal letters, that have been acquired by the British Library over the last five years. Marina is chair of the British Library Collections Trust, so has been part of the process in acquiring these exciting pieces.

These often surprising items are introduced and explored by a panel of invited writers, scholars, musicians and Library curators. Each acquisition has been made possible largely through bequests to the British Library Collections Trust, which exists to promote the Library’s work across all the collection areas.

This event takes place on Thursday 13 July, 7pm-8.30pm in the British Library (Pigott Theatre, The Knowledge Centre, The British Library, 96 Euston Road, NW1 2DB) and will be simultaneously live streamed on the British Library platform. Tickets may be booked either to attend in person, or to watch on our platform (online) either live or within 48 hours on catch up. Viewing links will be sent out shortly before the event.

The online version of this event will be live captioned.

Highlights include short talks on

Jane Austen’s manuscript letter to her nephew Edward, with Professor Kathryn Sutherland, University of Oxford, and author of Why Modern Manuscripts Matter

Harris’ List of Covent Garden Ladies, with writer and historian Emily Brand

The John Galsworthy archive with writer, novelist and columnist Ferdinand Mount

The Andrea Levy Archive with journalist, author, academic and broadcaster Gary Younge

The Granta Archive with Granta editor Thomas Meaney

Handel’s ‘Se tu non lasci amore’ manuscript  sung live, with harpsichord accompaniment

Chaired by Ferdinand Mount who in 2018 oversaw the transformation of the Friends of the British Library into the British Library Collections Trust.

Doors and Bar open at 18:00.

Marking the 50th anniversary of the British Library, tickets are pay-what-you-can, from as little as £1.
Tickets available to book here