16 years between the laying of the foundation stone in 1982 and the opening in 1998. The Independent explains the delay: "The reason it has taken so long to build ... has relatively little to do with the competence, or otherwise, of architect and contractors. The project has been toyed with by successive governments. The building was designed for a different site in Bloomsbury. Time was wasted when it had to be redesigned to fit the eventual site alongside St Pancras Station. Successive governments have trimmed the budget. Each time they have done so, Colin St John Wilson and his team have had to redesign parts of the building."
This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
British Library
Commemorated ati
British Library- Foundation Stone
The British Library H.R.H. The Prince of Wales unveiled this stone 7 Decembe...
Opening of the British Library
This inscription is opposite the entrance, below the Shakespeare statue.
This section lists the memorials created by the subject on this page:
British Library
Creations i
British Library - Anne Frank
The tree itself is almost entirely lost, half buried in a modern planting sch...
Other Subjects
Cecil Sharp
Collector of English folk-songs and dances. Born Denmark Hill. Spent 1882 - 92 in Australia. Developed an interest in English folk-music in 1899 and began his prolific collection which later expand...
Person, Dance, Museums / Libraries, Music / songs, Australia
1 memorial
Henry E. Poole
Secretary to the Commissioners for the 1892 Westminster Public Library. Became librarian in Great Smith Street in March 1881 and went on to be employed by Westminster City Council as a branch libra...
1 memorial
William Alfred Westropp Foyle
Founded Foyles Bookshop in 1903. Born Shoreditch, the 7th child of a 7th child of a 7th child. William and brother Gilbert opened their first bookshop in Islington, moved to Peckham and then Ceci...
1 memorial
Frederic David Mocatta
Tycoon and philantropist. Born London into a Jewish family who came to England from Spain in the 1650s. Married but childless. Worked in the family gold-dealing business until 1874 when he gave ...
1 memorial
Leyton Library
Designed by John Knight, this originally opened as Leyton Town Hall. It was outgrown and a replacement town hall was built next door in 1896. The empty building was later repurposed as a library.
Building, Museums / Libraries, Politics & Administration, Property
1 memorial
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