Bishopsgate Library’s London collection covers inner London, with a particular focus on the City of London and Spitalfields.

It describes all major aspects of the character of London and its social, economic and architectural development.

The collection is particularly strong on 19th century social history, but has many wider materials about the capital’s long and varied history. The collection continues to grow with the addition of publications and other materials concerning the modern development of London.

The London collection includes:

• 45,000+ books, pamphlets and journal extracts
• 2,000+ photos
• 275 prints and watercolours
• 250+ maps, from as far back as the 17th century
• 350+ miscellaneous deeds
• 40 currently received journals, magazines and annual reports plus 350+ titles that are no longer published
• newspaper cuttings and ephemera, starting from the late 19th century, about Bishopsgate and Spitalfields

A number of images, illustrations and documents from the London Collection can be seen on the following websites and resources.

Arrangement of the Collection

Material in the London Collection is arranged in a classification scheme initially devised by Charles Goss, Institute Librarian from 1897-1941. The main headings of the scheme are:

Geographical Scope

The London Collection covers inner London - the old 28 metropolitan boroughs of the London County Council, plus the City of London. The local history section of the London Collection is arranged by metropolitan borough.