Dulwich and Nunhead Libraries

Dulwich and Nunhead libraries are two of the remaining four libraries in London still being used as libraries that were built from money donated by philanthropist and reformer John Passmore Edwards.  Born in Cornwall of modest parents in 1823, John Passmore Edwards was a remarkable man.  He became a voracious reader and developed a desire both for self improvement and “an ambition to be useful” in his childhood and by hard work and zeal became a wealthy and influential man, never forgetting his desire for reform and helping others up the ladder.  From the 1890s onward he funded the construction of  71 public buildings which apart from libraries included buildings for education, the arts, health and for orphans and the disabled.   In Southwark, other buildings funded by Passmore Edwards include the North Camberwell Library, the Borough Road Library, the South London Gallery and the Camberwell College of Art.  More can be found out about his life and works here and the author of that piece, Dean Evans, has also written a book “Funding the Ladder – The Passmore Edwards Legacy”  which is highly recommended.

 

At the end of the nineteenth century, both Dulwich and Nunhead fell within the area of Camberwell Vestry’s administration and the chief librarian of that parish wrote to Passmore Edwards asking for financial help in establishing free libraries.  Passmore Edwards wrote back to say he could offer either £2,500 for a library at Nunhead or £3,000 for a library at Dulwich.  He had a preference for a library at Dulwich as for a short time upon his arrival in London he had lived in Camberwell Grove and knew the area better.