A Swimming Pool on Campus 15 September 2023
All this good weather had us thinking about how nice it would be to have a swimming pool on campus. But did you know we once did? It was built in 1888 and entertained and cooled generations of East Londoners until World War 2 when it suffered serious bomb damage. But the building of the former People’s Palace Swimming baths, bought by the university, hung around until 2011.
William Blake 21 July 2023
After finishing the articles about our distinguished English poets and Greek philosophers who are featured in the old Octagon library, I discovered in our rare book collection another English poet many of you will know doubt know, especially if as a child you read his famous poem The Tyger. Well, I found Blake sitting on a shelf looking down on an old furniture Bible. I would like to talk about the two together and the importance they bring to our literature, and to show another side of William Blake and his works. A blog by Anne Marie Mcharg Rare Books and Special Collections Assistant.
Samuel Phelps: Actor, Theatre Manager & Tragedian 7 July 2023
In the last couple of months, I have been beavering away amongst our rare book collection cataloguing and updating records. Tucked away on the bottom shelves I found prompt copies for Samuel Phelps of Shakespeare’s tragedies, histories and one comedy. This small collection is printed copies from microfilm of originals held by The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington DC. So, my thoughts turned to wondering, who was Samuel Phelps? A blog by Anne Marie Mcharg Rare Books and Special Collections Assistant.
Richard Sheridan: Dramatist, Playwriter and Whig Politician 30 June 2023
A blog by Special Collections Information Assistant Anne Marie McHarg.
Act 2: History of the Theatre through the Ages 8 June 2023
The theatre has played many parts throughout the centuries, like a character in changing scenes. In this second part of our look at the history of the theatre, we pick up in Shakespearean times and look at the developments of more recent years. So, the scene is set, and the principal characters (the theatres!) play on. A blog by Special Collections Information Assistant Anne Marie McHarg.