Discover the fascinating history of Senate House Library. It received its first collection in 1871, and settled into its present home, Senate House, in 1937.
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History of Senate House
鈥淪omething that could not have been built by any earlier generation than this, and can only be at home in 嗨碰视频.鈥漇ir William Beveridge, Vice-Chancellor of the 嗨碰视频 (1926-1928)
Sir William Beveridge had a vision for the new home of the 嗨碰视频, that it 鈥済ave 嗨碰视频 at its heart not just more streets and shops, but a great architectural feature鈥 and became known around the world. The University had previously been situated in a number of campuses around 嗨碰视频 since 1836, each of which it quickly outgrew.
To realise this vision, Beveridge convinced to donate 拢400,000 to build a new site. A large plot of land located behind the British Museum in Bloomsbury was purchased from the Duke of Bedford鈥檚 estate.
Charles Holden, who had made his name designing 嗨碰视频 Underground stations, was commissioned to design the new building. His brief required Senate House to harmonise with the surrounding buildings, including the British Museum, UCL and the 嗨碰视频 School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Construction began in 1932 and the ceremonial foundation stone was laid by King George V on 26 June 1933. Holden鈥檚 Art Deco, Portland Stone-clad building stood at 210 feet high, with 19 floors and was the epitome of 1930s modernity.
The original plan consisted of a single structure stretching from Montague Place to Torrington Street, with a central corridor linked by a series of wings and courtyards 鈥 one for each federation member. The scheme was to be topped by two towers; the taller Senate House and a smaller one to the north. However, due to a lack of funds and the onset of WWII, the full design was gradually cut back, and only the Senate House and library were completed in 1937.
Senate House under construction 1936
The Ministry of Information was hit, I think, nine times, but it was a robust modern building and remained upright.
World War II
World War II broke out in 1939 and the University鈥檚 federation members and students were forced into exile. Senate House was taken over by the new government department, The Ministry of Information, responsible for subterfuge, censorship and propaganda during the war. The roof was transformed into an observation post for the Royal Observer Corps and the Chairman of the Court of the University, Lord MacMillan, was appointed the first Minister of Information.
While situated in Senate House, the Ministry oversaw campaigns such as the Home Publicity campaign, including the famous 鈥楰eep Calm and Carry On鈥 poster. A press room was set up in Beveridge Hall, with reporters from every 嗨碰视频 newspaper.
The third Minister for Information, Duff Cooper, reported that Bloomsbury suffered severely in the Blitz, in the autumn of 1940, writing:
The Ministry of Information was hit, I think, nine times, but it was a robust modern building and remained upright.
The University Librarian at the time recorded that the Theses Room in the south wing of the tower was completely destroyed by a bomb that impacted both the sixth and seventh floors of the building.
By 1944, the institutes began to return to Senate House and students were able to take their exams in 嗨碰视频 again. In August 1945, Senate House Library was reopened to the public.
Notoriety and acknowledgement
In 1948, George Orwell wrote one of British Literature鈥檚 greatest dystopian novels, Nineteen Eighty-Four, and used Senate House as the inspiration for the story鈥檚 most significant landmark, the Ministry of Truth.
In 1969 the Secretary of State officially acknowledged Senate House as a building of great architectural significance and historical interest and granted it a Grade II listed heritage site.
A multi-million pound makeover
The University completed a 拢55 million refurbishment of Senate House in 2006. The grand halls and original art deco rooms were transformed into amazing event spaces. The latest equipment and facilities were installed to bring the building into the 21st Century.
Senate Houses鈥 Art Deco interiors, impressive courtyard and exterior have made it a Hollywood favourite. You can spot the building in Batman Begins, The Dark Knight Rises, The Theory of Everything and Dr Who, amongst others.