the literary and philosophical
society of newcastle
photograph courtesy of Sally Ann Norman
founded 1793
Background
The Society was founded early in 1793 as a ‘conversation club’, with an annual subscription of one guinea. The subjects of the conversations - and the books that supported them - were wide-ranging, although religion and politics were prohibited.
From its outset, the Society had an enterprising, inquisitive and liberal nature: the first women members were admitted by 1804, various ground-breaking demonstrations of new technology took place, such as George Stephenson’s miners’ safety lamp in 1815. In 1820, The Newcastle upon Tyne Society for the gradual abolition of Slavery in the British Dominions was established at a meeting held in the Society’s rooms. The Society’s lecture theatre was the first public room to be lit by electric light, during a lecture by Sir Joseph Swan on October 20th 1880.
In 1822 the foundation stone of the current building was laid by the Duke of Sussex, followed by a grand celebration and meal with 35 toasts and 53 speeches; it was finally opened in 1825.
Books were always at the heart of the Society’s interests, even though some early practices seem strange today. The first catalogues were sorted by the size of books, and it was only in 1891 that the decision was made to purchase novels; nobody seemed any the worse for this radical move excepting possibly, as one distinguished member pointed out, “those unfortunate enough to read them”. Novels now form a significant part of our collection of 170,000 books, and an active bookbinding and restoration programme manages the condition of our older volumes.
During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries the Society became involved in other spheres of activity. Chief amongst these were our active contribution to the University Extension scheme and the establishment of a thriving lecture programme that continues to this day. Over the years it has attracted many eminent speakers; a scan through the list reveals names such as Oscar Wilde, Edith Sitwell, F R Leavis, Mary Kingsley, Dorothy L Sayers and John Betjeman.
No history of the Society would be complete without mentioning our involvement with music. Some one hundred years ago the library started to acquire scores, and in 1942 an official gramophone library was created that formed the basis of our current collection - one of the finest in the North of England.
If you want to know more about the history of the Lit and Phil, then there are two books that can help you. Robert Spence Watson documented our story up to 1896, and Charles Parish, our librarian from 1963 - 1987, continued the story up to 1989. Both books are, of course, available in the library.
Building
Our Grade II* listed building was opened in 1825 and the magnificent reading rooms remain largely unchanged. The building was designed by John Green with Georgian facade, Grecian in detail and Palladian in proportion.
Collection
The Literary & Philosophical Society (Lit & Phil) is the largest independent library outside London, housing almost 200,000 books. A wide selection of current fiction and non-fiction can be found alongside historical collections covering every field of interest.
The music library is without equal in the North of England, including 10,000 CDs and 10,000 LPs.
Anyone can come in to the building and use our collections. Borrowing requires membership.
In addition to the library, the Society has a wide programme of events including book launches, concerts, lectures, readings and workshops that cover a variety of topics and issues. Both members and non-members are welcome to attend these events.
Contact information
Kay Easson, Librarian
23 Westgate Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 1SE
tel: 0191 232 0192 / email: library@litandphil.org.uk
Open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 9.30-19.00; Tuesday 9.30-20.00; Friday 9.30-17.00, Saturday 9.30-13.00
Membership Subscription details are available at https://www.litandphil.org.uk/library-membership/
1900 members
The Lit & Phil is open to the general public and the collections may be consulted by all. There are two members' rooms but these can be visited by request.
Website
www.litandphil.org.uk
Status
Registered charity no. 1120948