Discover The Maughan Library in London
If you’ve ever wandered down Chancery Lane and caught sight of a striking neo-Gothic building with a towering clock and an aura of mystery, chances are you’ve stumbled upon The Maughan Library. Situated in London’s legal district, this structure isn’t just a pretty face—though, let's be honest, the building is a total showstopper—it’s a modern research hub, and a sanctuary for book lovers and students of King’s College London.
It has a collection of over 750,000 items, including books and journals to CDs, DVDs, theses, and exam papers, covering everything from Business or Film Studies, to History, Philosophy, and even War Studies. This extensive collection makes The Maughan Library is a one-stop shop for all your intellectual needs.
History of The Maughan Library
The Maughan Library, as we know it today, is more than just a fancy place to borrow books—it's a deeply historical building.
The "House of Converts"
The story of the Maughan Library’s site kicks off in 1232 when King Henry III decided to establish the "House of Converts." This was a sanctuary for Jewish individuals who, under immense pressure, had converted to Christianity.
It provided refuge and a place to worship, setting the stage for the area’s historical significance. However, this chapter took a dark turn in 1290 when King Edward I began banishing Jews from England in what is now known as the Edict of Expulsion.
The Rolls Chapel
As the years ‘rolled’ by, the site evolved into the "Rolls Estate," and its chapel became known as the Rolls Chapel. It became the private residence of the Master of the Rolls and a repository for legal records. The chapel was also given several makeovers, including a swanky rebuild by architect Inigo Jones in 1617.
The "Strongbox of the Empire"
Fast forward to the mid-19th century, and the site had a new mission: safeguarding the nation's most precious documents. Pennethorne’s design became the new Public Record Office, which was built between 1851 and 1898. Its construction prioritised fireproofing—a lesson learned after the devastating fire at the Palace of Westminster in 1836.
The building’s self-contained storerooms resembled fortress-like cells, complete with cast-iron doors weighing as much as a small car! While it might sound like overkill, these features ensured the safety of priceless records.
A Library Fit for a King (and Queen!): A 20th-Century Makeover
By the late 1990s, the Public Record Office had moved to newer facilities, leaving this grand building searching for a new purpose. Enter King’s College London, which acquired the site in 1998. Over the next few years, the space underwent a £35 million renovation to create what is now The Maughan Library.
During the renovations, architects uncovered painted zinc ceilings from the 1860s and a stunning tessellated floor from 1901. After two years of meticulous work, the revamped building reopened in 2002, proudly bearing the name of Sir Deryck Maughan, a generous King’s College alumnus, and his wife, Lady Maughan. It was now the university’s main research library—and the largest new university library in the UK since World War II.
Design Quirks of The Maughan Library
First impressions count, and The Maughan Library doesn’t disappoint. Designed by Sir James Pennethorne in 1851, the library is a Grade II* listed building dressed up in one of the best examples of Victorian neo-Gothic architecture.
It has a dramatic stone exterior with arched windows and ornamental towers, making it a very photogenic structure. But look closer, and you’ll notice an interesting quirk: the stone used in its construction was sourced from different quarries over several phases, giving the exterior a subtly mismatched, patchwork charm.
Inside, the library is no less impressive. Here are a couple of quirky design elements that make this library extra special:
The Round Room
First up: The Round Room, which is not just any room – it’s based on the British Museum’s Round Reading Room (but with a dodecagonal twist, because why go with a simple circle when you can have twelve sides?).
Completed in 1863, the Round Room has a soaring domed ceiling made of zinc, which is actually painted to look like wood. It’s also home to some seriously unique decorations—it’s a peaceful spot for diving into the pages of a book or two.
The Weston Room
Not to mention, The Weston Room, where medieval chapel features like funerary monuments and stained-glass windows are preserved. You really can feel the history in the walls – literally!
Today, The Weston Room doubles as an exhibition space, showcasing rare manuscripts and artefacts from the university’s special collections. It has even hosted illustrious guests, including Prince William and Sir David Attenborough, who made headlines with a speech on wildlife conservation in 2015.
The Clock Tower and Garden
Oh, and the Clock Tower? It wasn’t just added for aesthetic purposes. Back in the day, it actually housed a water tank. Now it’s home to enclosed study carrels for those who want some peace and quiet to focus.
The garden outside the library is another highlight. Designed by George Carter, the garden won the London Spade Award in 2003. It's a peaceful space with sculptures, a bronze Confucius statue, and even a small water feature. If you're in need of a little break from all that studying (or if you just want a cool place to snap a picture), this garden is the perfect spot to chill out.
The Maughan Library Collections
General Collection Highlights
The Maughan Library isn’t your average repository of books; it contains a broad spectrum of academic disciplines. Highlights of the library’s collections include:
- Humanities: From classics and philosophy to history and theology.
- Social Sciences: Including politics, law, and war studies.
- Natural & Mathematical Sciences: Here it covers physics, mathematics, and computer science.
- Cultural & Creative Industries: Covering film studies, music, and digital culture.
The Foyle Special Collections Library
Beyond the regular stacks, The Maughan Library houses several special collections. The Foyle Special Collections Library, named after a generous grant from the Foyle Foundation, holds 170,000 printed works. It also includes rare items like signed manuscripts from famous British composers, maps, and even manuscripts that date back to the 15th century. Among its treasures are:
- The Carnegie Collection of British Music, featuring original manuscripts.
- The Foreign and Commonwealth Office Historical Collection, with over 60,000 items, including Britain’s 1812 declaration of war on the U.S.
- Rare incunabula (books printed before 1501).
Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives
For those curious about military history, the Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives is a goldmine, holding the personal papers of over 700 senior British military figures. It’s like stepping into a secretive world of strategic military planning and historical secrets.
The Maughan Library in Pop Culture
The Maughan Library isn’t just an academic powerhouse; it’s made its way into pop culture, too. One of its most famous appearances is in Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code. The library’s Round Reading Room, with its stunning zinc-painted ceiling, is featured in the novel as one of the locations where characters Robert Langdon and Sophie Neveu unlock a clue.
If that wasn’t cool enough, the library was also used in The Imitation Game, Bastille Day with Idris Elba, various episodes of The One Show, and the 2003 film Johnny English for exterior shots of the Tower of London.
But wait, there’s more – the Round Reading Room even appears in a music video for Taiwanese musician Jay Chou’s “Twilight’s Chapter Seven.” So, if you ever find yourself wandering the library and think it feels like you’re inside a movie set, you're not imagining things. And who knows? You might even spot a film crew on your next visit!
Visiting The Maughan Library
While primarily a research hub for King’s College London students, The Maughan Library generally attracts many visitors. Here’s what you need to know before you go:
- Location: Situated in London’s legal district, the library is easy to reach by public transport.
- Access: Visitors are usually limited to specific events or open days, so check King’s College London’s website for details.
- Highlights to See: Don’t miss the Round Room, the historic garden featuring sculptures and plaques, and the grand entrance lobby with its ornate zinc ceiling.
Studying at The Maughan Library
The library is packed with tons of study spaces, some quiet and some designed for collaboration. We’ve already addressed the solo options in the Clock Tower’s individual study carrels but there’s also opportunities for group study in one of the AV-equipped discussion rooms. And with over 1,300 study spots, good luck finding an excuse not to be productive here.
For those in need of a quick snack or caffeine boost (because, let’s face it, food is brain fuel), Rolls Café down on the lower ground floor has you covered with everything from hot drinks to hot food. The café has extended hours during exam time, so you can fuel up without missing a beat.
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