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History Day

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Gladstone's Library

Title
Gladstone's Library
short title
Gladstone's Library
Description
Gladstone’s Library is the UK’s finest residential library, with 26 bedrooms, an on-site restaurant and a comfortable guest lounge. It is the UK’s only Prime Ministerial library, built following a bequest from four times Prime Minister of Great Britain, William Ewart Gladstone.

Our world-famous Reading Rooms house thousands of books, including items from Gladstone’s own personal library, and offer protected study spaces in which to read, think and work. They are accessible to registered Readers, Researchers and residents. It is free to become a Reader and work within the Reading Rooms.

The current building, raised in 1902 and designed by John Douglas, was funded by public subscription. It is home to unique archival collections, making it a destination for scholars from across the globe. Gladstone’s Library is a self-sustaining registered charity; every booking and donation made helps maintain the Grade I listed building and the collections it protects.