The British Library - The British Library

What’s on

James Cook: The Voyages

James Cook: The Voyages

Fri 27 Apr - Tue 28 Aug 2018

Madeline Miller

Madeline Miller in Conversation with Kate Mosse

Mon 30 Apr 2018

Treasures of the British Library. Discover stories that shape the world.

Treasures of the British Library

Free

Freak Weather in History

Wed 2 May 2018

UCL lecture series

Unlocking Public Value from the Data Revolution

Free

Thu 3 May 2018

Sold out

Picturing the Library at 20

Picturing the Library: Drawing Architecture

Tue 8 May 2018

Limited places

How to write a successful business plan

Fri 27 Apr 2018

View all

News

Treasures of the British Library

Treasures Gallery, Entrance Hall and Sounds exhibition to close early

They will close early at 17.00 on 26 April 2018

In Search of Frankenstein

In Search of Frankenstein now open

Until Sunday 1 July

Humanities 1

Help us improve our Reading Rooms

We'd love to hear from you

Blogs

Untold Lives blog from the British Library

Love and tragedy in the British Library: The story of Eleanor Marx and Edward Aveling Part 1

Music blog from the British Library

Latest Music Manuscripts available on our website

Asian and African blog at the British Library, collection item detail

Tracking down the earliest copy of Khvaju Kirmani's collected works: British Library Or. 11519

Discover

The Hyakumantō darani or ‘One Million Pagoda Dharani’ are the oldest extant examples of printing in Japan.

Canada: 1851 12d black, an unused horizontal pair from the foot of the sheet

The first issue of stamps for the colony of Canada was made in 1851. Explore one of only five unused pairs left in existence

Explore our Highlights

Learn

Ophelia in Hamlet

Beowulf

Chart the evolution of Old English through the 700 years it was written and spoken

More Learning resources

Get started

Get started at the British Library, photo of a Reading Room

Find out how to get a Reader Pass

Support us

Support the British Library

Help grow, protect and share our collection

Business support

Business support at the British Library

We can help you start, run and grow your business

Work with us

Work for the British Library

Current vacancies and other opportunities – and how to apply

Shop

Red Pillar Tote Bag

£9.50

delicate necklace2

Delicate Building Necklace

£38.00

Brass Circle Notebook

Brass Circle A5 Notebook

£5.50

watch gold strap

Drumline Brass Unisex Watch

£195.00