Royal Librarian (United Kingdom)
The office of Royal Librarian, in the
librarians in the Royal Library, the Librarian is also Deputy Keeper of the Royal Archives and is responsible for the management of the Royal Archives and its collections.[1]
The role of the Royal Librarian
Today the Royal Library collections comprise the documentary and intellectual heritage of the
Royal Collection Trust Department through exhibitions, events, and publications, and the work of the Lord Chamberlain's and Private Secretary's Offices through the creation of displays and manufacture of gifts for State Visits, for selected garden parties, and other types of official and public engagement. The Royal Library and Royal Archives teams work very closely with the information assurance work of Royal Household to meet the challenges of dealing with library and archive material in the digital age. The Royal Library includes responsibility for the Royal Library bindery.[1]
History
Although a Librarian was always required for any sizeable royal collection of books, the present office dates from 1836, when the then existing collections of books at
Edward IV that had been retained since new in the royal library. The King's Library was some 65,000 volumes essentially assembled by George III and given by George IV
. The offer was made in 1823, but the physical transfer delayed until 1827, when a new gallery had been built.
The office was only admitted to the
Royal Household in the 19th century. John Glover was appointed in 1837 and since his time there have been 8 subsequent Librarians.[1]
They are:
- John Glover 1837-1860
- Bernard Woodward 1860-1869
- Richard (later Sir Richard) Holmes 1870-1905
- The Hon. (later Sir John) Fortescue1905-1926
- Owen (later Sir Owen) Morshead 1926-1958[2]
- Robin (later Sir Robin) Mackworth-Young 1958-1985[3]
- Oliver Everett 1985-2002
- The Hon. Jane (later Lady) Roberts 2002-2013[4]
- Oliver Urquhart Irvine 2014-2018[4]
- Stella Panayotova 2019-
Up to and including the tenure of
MVO).[5]
The current Librarian and Deputy Keeper is Stella Panayotova, formerly of the Fitzwilliam Museum.
References
- ^ a b c d e f Allison, R, and Riddell, S (eds.), The Royal Encyclopaedia. Macmillan Press, 1991
- doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/66332. (Subscription or UK public library membershiprequired.)
- ^ "Sir Robin Mackworth-Young".
- ^ a b Royal Collection Trust Annual Report 2013-2014, p. 14
- ^ "RCE AR 2014" – via view.digitalissue.co.uk.