Bishopsgate Institute
Encyclopedia
Bishopsgate Institute is a cultural institute, located on Bishopsgate
, in proximity of Liverpool Street station
and Spitalfields market
, London, England.
Bishopsgate Institute was established in 1895. The Institute describes itself as a home for ideas and debate, learning and enquiry and as a place where independent thought is cherished.
Bishopsgate Institute offers a cultural events programme, courses for adults, historic library and archive collections and community programme.
(1851–1928). The other two are the nearby Whitechapel Gallery
and the Horniman Museum
in South London. His work combined elements of the Arts and Crafts movement
and Art Nouveau
style, along with the typically Victorian.
Since opening on New Year's Day 1895, Bishopsgate Institute has been a centre for culture and learning.
The original aims of the Institute were to provide a public library, public hall and meeting rooms for people living and working in the City of London. The Great Hall in particular was erected for the benefit of the public to promote lectures, exhibitions and otherwise the advancement literature, science and the fine arts.
Bishopsgate Institute was built using funds from charitable endowments made to the parish of St Botolph's, Bishopsgate. These had been collected by the parish for over a period of 500 years, but a scheme agreed by the Charity Commissioners in 1891, enabled these to be drawn together into one endowment. Reverend William Rogers (1819–1896), Rector of St Botolph's and a notable educational reformer and supporter of free libraries, was instrumental in setting up the Institute and ensuring that the original charitable aims were met.
is a free, independent library, open every weekday.
Bishopsgate Library holds important historical collections about London
, the labour movement
, free thought and cooperative
movements, as well as the history of protest
and campaigning.
The archive at the Bishopsgate Library holds over 20,000 images in three collections – The London & Middlesex Archaeological Society (LAMAS) Glass Slide Collection, the London Co-operative Society and the London Collection Digital Photographs. They have recently shared some of their images from LAMAS in 1977 on Historypin
. This collection contains images of many of London’s famous landmarks including churches, statues, open spaces and buildings, as well as images showing social and cultural scenes from the early 20th century.
Past talks and debates at Bishopsgate Institute have included:
Popular talks are also available as podcasts.
Arts and Culture: Practical Photography, Wine Tasting, Art History and Appreciation, Sketching, Walking Tours, Introductions to Classical Music and Film History
Words and Ideas: Creative Writing, Scriptwriting, Philosophy and Intensive Public Speaking
Languages: French, Spanish, Italian, German, Japanese, Chinese Mandarin and Russian
Performing arts: Salsa, Flamenco, Tango, Ballroom, Rock and Roll/Jive, Acting and Singing
Body and exercise: Pilates, Yoga and Meditation
A pensioners club which provides monthly lunches, regular outings and a quarterly top-up pension to a group of 55 local residents
A grant award scheme which is open to local organisations who help people in need, hardship or distress and who have resided or worked in the parishes of St. Botolph’s Bishopsgate, Christchurch Spitalfields and St. Leonard’s Shoreditch
Bishopsgate
Bishopsgate is a road and ward in the northeast part of the City of London, extending north from Gracechurch Street to Norton Folgate. It is named after one of the original seven gates in London Wall...
, in proximity of Liverpool Street station
Liverpool Street station
Liverpool Street railway station, also known as London Liverpool Street or simply Liverpool Street, is both a central London railway terminus and a connected London Underground station in the north-eastern corner of the City of London, England...
and Spitalfields market
Spitalfields
Spitalfields is a former parish in the borough of Tower Hamlets, in the East End of London, near to Liverpool Street station and Brick Lane. The area straddles Commercial Street and is home to many markets, including the historic Old Spitalfields Market, founded in the 17th century, Sunday...
, London, England.
Bishopsgate Institute was established in 1895. The Institute describes itself as a home for ideas and debate, learning and enquiry and as a place where independent thought is cherished.
Bishopsgate Institute offers a cultural events programme, courses for adults, historic library and archive collections and community programme.
History
The Grade II* listed building was the first of the three major buildings designed by architect Charles Harrison TownsendCharles Harrison Townsend
Charles Harrison Townsend was an English architect. He was born in Birkenhead, educated at Birkenhead School and articled to the Liverpool architect Walter Scott in 1870. He moved to London with his family in 1880 and entered partnership with the London architect Thomas Lewis Banks in 1884...
(1851–1928). The other two are the nearby Whitechapel Gallery
Whitechapel Gallery
The Whitechapel Gallery is a public art gallery on the north side of Whitechapel High Street, in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. Designed by Charles Harrison Townsend, it was founded in 1901 as one of the first publicly-funded galleries for temporary exhibitions in London, and it has a long...
and the Horniman Museum
Horniman Museum
The Horniman Museum is a museum in Forest Hill, South London, England. Commissioned in 1898, it opened in 1901 and was designed by Charles Harrison Townsend in the Arts and Crafts style....
in South London. His work combined elements of the Arts and Crafts movement
Arts and Crafts movement
Arts and Crafts was an international design philosophy that originated in England and flourished between 1860 and 1910 , continuing its influence until the 1930s...
and Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau is an international philosophy and style of art, architecture and applied art—especially the decorative arts—that were most popular during 1890–1910. The name "Art Nouveau" is French for "new art"...
style, along with the typically Victorian.
Since opening on New Year's Day 1895, Bishopsgate Institute has been a centre for culture and learning.
The original aims of the Institute were to provide a public library, public hall and meeting rooms for people living and working in the City of London. The Great Hall in particular was erected for the benefit of the public to promote lectures, exhibitions and otherwise the advancement literature, science and the fine arts.
Bishopsgate Institute was built using funds from charitable endowments made to the parish of St Botolph's, Bishopsgate. These had been collected by the parish for over a period of 500 years, but a scheme agreed by the Charity Commissioners in 1891, enabled these to be drawn together into one endowment. Reverend William Rogers (1819–1896), Rector of St Botolph's and a notable educational reformer and supporter of free libraries, was instrumental in setting up the Institute and ensuring that the original charitable aims were met.
Bishopsgate Library
Bishopsgate LibraryBishopsgate Library
Bishopsgate Library is an independent, charity-funded library located within the Bishopsgate Institute in the City of London.The library's particular strengths include printed and archive material on London, freethought and the labour movement, developed by Charles Goss, librarian from 1897 to 1941...
is a free, independent library, open every weekday.
Bishopsgate Library holds important historical collections about London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, the labour movement
Labour movement
The term labour movement or labor movement is a broad term for the development of a collective organization of working people, to campaign in their own interest for better treatment from their employers and governments, in particular through the implementation of specific laws governing labour...
, free thought and cooperative
Cooperative
A cooperative is a business organization owned and operated by a group of individuals for their mutual benefit...
movements, as well as the history of protest
Protest
A protest is an expression of objection, by words or by actions, to particular events, policies or situations. Protests can take many different forms, from individual statements to mass demonstrations...
and campaigning.
The archive at the Bishopsgate Library holds over 20,000 images in three collections – The London & Middlesex Archaeological Society (LAMAS) Glass Slide Collection, the London Co-operative Society and the London Collection Digital Photographs. They have recently shared some of their images from LAMAS in 1977 on Historypin
Historypin
Historypin is an online, user-generated archive of historical photos and personal recollections. Users are able to use the location and date of an image to 'pin' it to Google Maps. Where Google Street View is available, users can overlay the historical photograph and compare it with the...
. This collection contains images of many of London’s famous landmarks including churches, statues, open spaces and buildings, as well as images showing social and cultural scenes from the early 20th century.
Cultural events
Bishopsgate Institute programmes a range of cultural events throughout the year. Many of these are inspired by Bishopsgate Library's historical and radical library and archive collections. They include a range of talks, walks and debates, as well as free lunch time concerts in the historic Great Hall.Past talks and debates at Bishopsgate Institute have included:
- Building East London: a season of talks, walks and debates curated in collaboration with Dan CruickshankDan CruickshankDan Cruickshank is an art historian and BBC television presenter.-Early life:As a young child he lived for some years in Poland...
about architectural development in the East End - Kenan MalikKenan MalikKenan Malik is an Indian-born English writer, lecturer and broadcaster, trained in neurobiology and the history of science. As a scientific author, his focus is on the philosophy of biology, and contemporary theories of multiculturalism, pluralism and race...
and Tariq ModoodTariq ModoodTariq Modood is Professor of Sociology, Politics and Public Policy at the University of Bristol . Modood is the founding Director of the Centre for the Study of Ethnicity and Citizenship and one of the leading authorities on ethnic minorities in Britain...
MBE on the legacy of the fatwa against Salman Rushdie, author of The Satanic Verses - Actor and director Stephen Berkoff in conversation with historian Michelle Johansen about his memories of growing up in the East End of London
- Tony BennTony BennAnthony Neil Wedgwood "Tony" Benn, PC is a British Labour Party politician and a former MP and Cabinet Minister.His successful campaign to renounce his hereditary peerage was instrumental in the creation of the Peerage Act 1963...
discussing the labour movementLabour movementThe term labour movement or labor movement is a broad term for the development of a collective organization of working people, to campaign in their own interest for better treatment from their employers and governments, in particular through the implementation of specific laws governing labour...
, socialismSocialismSocialism is an economic system characterized by social ownership of the means of production and cooperative management of the economy; or a political philosophy advocating such a system. "Social ownership" may refer to any one of, or a combination of, the following: cooperative enterprises,...
and democracyDemocracyDemocracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law... - Leading authority on Charles DickensCharles DickensCharles John Huffam Dickens was an English novelist, generally considered the greatest of the Victorian period. Dickens enjoyed a wider popularity and fame than had any previous author during his lifetime, and he remains popular, having been responsible for some of English literature's most iconic...
, Michael Slater, discussing Dickens's relationship with London - London Lore, a one-day conference examining the history of London's folkloreFolkloreFolklore consists of legends, music, oral history, proverbs, jokes, popular beliefs, fairy tales and customs that are the traditions of a culture, subculture, or group. It is also the set of practices through which those expressive genres are shared. The study of folklore is sometimes called...
traditions - Iain SinclairIain SinclairIain Sinclair FRSL is a British writer and filmmaker. Much of his work is rooted in London, most recently within the influences of psychogeography.-Life and work:...
, Sheila RowbothamSheila RowbothamSheila Rowbotham is a British socialist feminist theorist and writer.-Early life:Rowbotham was born in Leeds, the daughter of a salesman for an engineering company and an office clerk From an early age, she was deeply interested in history...
, Rachel LichtensteinRachel LichtensteinRachel Lichtenstein is a writer, artist and archivist.In 1999 she wrote, with Iain Sinclair Rodinsky's Room, since then she has published Rodinsky's Whitechapel , and On Brick Lane...
, Patrick Wright and Michael RosenMichael RosenMichael Wayne Rosen is a broadcaster, children's novelist and poet and the author of 140 books. He was appointed as the fifth Children's Laureate in June 2007, succeeding Jacqueline Wilson, and held this honour until 2009....
discussing the fate of the London Borough of HackneyLondon Borough of HackneyThe London Borough of Hackney is a London borough of North/North East London, and forms part of inner London. The local authority is Hackney London Borough Council.... - Author Adam FouldsAdam FouldsAdam Foulds is a British novelist and poet.-Biography:Foulds was educated at Bancroft's School, read English at St Catherine's College, Oxford under Craig Raine, and graduated with an MA in creative writing from the University of East Anglia in 2001. Foulds published The Truth About These Strange...
on his 2009 Man Booker PrizeMan Booker PrizeThe Man Booker Prize for Fiction is a literary prize awarded each year for the best original full-length novel, written in the English language, by a citizen of the Commonwealth of Nations, Ireland, or Zimbabwe. The winner of the Man Booker Prize is generally assured of international renown and...
shortlisted book The Quickening Maze - Writer and historian Jerry WhiteJerry WhiteJerry White may refer to:* Jerry White , co-founder of the Landmine Survivors Network* Jerry White , criminal executed in Florida* Jerry White , player and coach in Major League Baseball...
talking about the extraordinary rise of LondonLondonLondon is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its... - Journalist Anna MintonAnna MintonAnna Minton is a British writer and journalist. Born 19 April 1970, educated at St.Paul's Girls' School, London and Queen's College Oxford. Minton has worked as a foreign correspondent, business reporter and social affairs writer and has won a number of national journalism awards...
in conversation with author Michael RosenMichael RosenMichael Wayne Rosen is a broadcaster, children's novelist and poet and the author of 140 books. He was appointed as the fifth Children's Laureate in June 2007, succeeding Jacqueline Wilson, and held this honour until 2009....
about fear and happiness in the 21st century city - Gothic London, a talk by Roger Luckhurst about the GothicGothic fictionGothic fiction, sometimes referred to as Gothic horror, is a genre or mode of literature that combines elements of both horror and romance. Gothicism's origin is attributed to English author Horace Walpole, with his 1764 novel The Castle of Otranto, subtitled "A Gothic Story"...
genre in the 19th and 20th centuries - Historian, broadcaster and politician Tristram HuntTristram HuntTristram Julian William Hunt, FRHistS MP is a British politician, historian, broadcaster and newspaper columnist, who is currently the Member of Parliament for Stoke-on-Trent Central. He also teaches and lectures on Modern British History at Queen Mary, University of London in Mile End, East London...
discussing the life of Friedrich EngelsFriedrich EngelsFriedrich Engels was a German industrialist, social scientist, author, political theorist, philosopher, and father of Marxist theory, alongside Karl Marx. In 1845 he published The Condition of the Working Class in England, based on personal observations and research...
Popular talks are also available as podcasts.
Courses for Adults
Bishopsgate Institute offers a full programme of courses for adults. All courses have been developed for complete newcomers, and there are advanced levels in many of these subjects too. The classes run during lunch times and afternoons, and after work. Subjects typically include:Arts and Culture: Practical Photography, Wine Tasting, Art History and Appreciation, Sketching, Walking Tours, Introductions to Classical Music and Film History
Words and Ideas: Creative Writing, Scriptwriting, Philosophy and Intensive Public Speaking
Languages: French, Spanish, Italian, German, Japanese, Chinese Mandarin and Russian
Performing arts: Salsa, Flamenco, Tango, Ballroom, Rock and Roll/Jive, Acting and Singing
Body and exercise: Pilates, Yoga and Meditation
Hall and room hire
Bishopsgate Institute has meeting space available for hire, including the Great Hall. These can host meetings, events or training sessions.Supporting the local community
Bishopsgate Institute runs a programme dedicated to supporting people in the local community. It does this by focusing on two main areas of activity:A pensioners club which provides monthly lunches, regular outings and a quarterly top-up pension to a group of 55 local residents
A grant award scheme which is open to local organisations who help people in need, hardship or distress and who have resided or worked in the parishes of St. Botolph’s Bishopsgate, Christchurch Spitalfields and St. Leonard’s Shoreditch
External links
- East London Theatre Archive Collection of Posters and Flyers held by the University of East LondonUniversity of East LondonThe University of East London is a university located in the London Borough of Newham, East London, England, based at two campuses in Stratford and Docklands areas...