Preventing what is called ‘the black out of the mind’

17 April 2018

Preventing what is called ‘the black out of the mind’

Before World War II, when the library was only 30 years old, Alec Vidler, the then Warden of St Deiniol’s Library, was preparing for a ‘decrease in the number of ordinary visitors’, which he called ‘inevitable’ is his 1938 report to the board of trustees.

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It’s bloomin’ spring!

11 April 2018

It’s bloomin’ spring!

I’ve recently put together a display of books from our collection to illustrate the arrival of the new season – spring! This got me thinking about the meanings of the spring season itself.

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Sir William Gladstone, 1925 - 2018

5 April 2018

Sir William Gladstone, 1925 - 2018

Here at the Library we mourn the death of Sir William Gladstone Bt, great-grandson of our founder, William Ewart Gladstone, and formerly our Chairman of Trustees. We also celebrate the long and fulfilled life of a person who contributed so much to the Library, as well as to his country and his county.

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From the Archives…an original book receipt

30 March 2018

From the Archives…an original book receipt

Here at Gladstone’s Library is where, alongside other collections, the personal collection of William Gladstone himself can be found. A collection that the public can come to peruse and enjoy at their own leisure in such a wonderful setting.

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Interview: Debbie Lewer on Art, Faith and Failure

16 March 2018

Interview: Debbie Lewer on Art, Faith and Failure

At the beginning of April Gladstone’s Library welcomes Debbie Lewer from the University of Glasgow to deliver a course exploring art, faith and failure within visual art from the Middle Ages to the present day. 

Debbie is an art historian who lectures on topics across the field, including on wider media such as photography and architecture. As we edge closer to April, we spoke to the her to find out a little more about her ideas, her work and what we can expect from ‘Utterly Human: Art, Faith and Failure’… 

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From the Archives…William Gladstone, patron of the arts

16 March 2018

From the Archives…William Gladstone, patron of the arts

William Ewart Gladstone, a lifelong student and scholar, is well known as a voracious reader and collector of books: Gladstone built up a remarkable personal library, reflecting the wide range of interests of a true Victorian polymath.

However, Gladstone is perhaps less well known for collecting paintings, sculpture, fine porcelain and ivories.

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Beware the Ides of March

15 March 2018

Beware the Ides of March

Beware the Ides of March; a saying that can often be heard around this time. But why? Why are we warned to ‘beware the Ides of March’ and what is the story behind it?

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Interview: Emma Rees on Taming Shakespeare

7 March 2018

Interview: Emma Rees on Taming Shakespeare

Emma Rees was Gladstone’s Library’s Political Writer in Residence in 2016 and returns to Hawarden on Friday, 11th May to lead a two-day residential course on reading Shakespeare without fear. 

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Making the most of your visit to Gladstone’s Library

7 March 2018

Making the most of your visit to Gladstone’s Library

So, you’re visiting Gladstone’s Library for the first time, fantastic! What’s the plan?

We recommend arriving around 11am. Our on-site café and bistro Food for Thought is open to the public (10am – 5pm), and a nice hot cup of coffee is the perfect start to your day.

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Writing the Revolution

23 February 2018

Writing the Revolution

In this blog, intern Alex Locke writes about our latest History Room display for the month of March. The display focuses on how our collections at Gladstone’s Library – some on display for the first time – can help illustrate one of the most tumultuous events in Western history – the French Revolution. Read on to find out more about how the printed word played a part in this extraordinary event, and how its influence impacted Gladstone’s time as much as our own… 

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