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Gladstone and Public Libraries

Abstract W. E. Gladstone is often described as the ‘Grand Old Man’ of Victorian politics but could equally be called a ‘Grand Old Bookman’. He loved books throughout his life, and this interest included libraries as well. He was an admirer of that arch-promoter of public libraries, William Ewart, and often spoke out in favour of libraries. He himself, in his retirement, transferred his own personal library at Hawarden to Trustees to become the famous St Deiniol's Library. This paper looks at Gladstone's interest in books and libraries.