Guildhall Library, Public research library in City of London, England
Guildhall Library is a public research library in the City of London holding collections on London history, including manuscripts, maps, and prints. The archives contain extensive documentation about the city's development along with shipping and business records spanning centuries.
The library was founded in 1425 through Richard Whittington's will and initially housed theological texts. In 1549, King Edward VI ordered the collection removed to Somerset House.
The library hosts exhibitions and talks about London's past, featuring documents from city livery companies and financial records. Visitors can explore how the institution connects the city to its major economic organizations.
Visitors can access specialized archives with resources on family history, business records, and maritime documentation. It helps to check in advance which specific collections relate to your research interests.
The library uses the London Classification system, introduced in 1926 and still employed here today. This cataloging method was created specifically to organize materials in a major city archive.
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