Past Events
Take a look at some of the past events that the International Friends of The London Library have hosted in the US to find out more about the types of events you can enjoy.
The Hyacinth Girl: T.S. Eliot’s Hidden Muse, with Lyndall Gordon, NYC
May 2023
Prize-winning author Lyndall Gordon revealed a different side to poet and former Library President TS Eliot in her fascinating talk for the Founders’ Circle. Married twice, Eliot had an almost lifelong love for Emily Hale, an American drama teacher to whom he wrote extensive personal letters for his hidden muse. The correspondence, released from Princeton in 2020, shows us in exquisite detail the hidden Eliot, and Lyndall brought it to life.
Leopoldstadt with Sir Tom Stoppard, NYC
September 2022
We were delighted to join acclaimed writer and former Library President Sir Tom Stoppard for drinks, canapés and sparkling conversation before attending a preview of his brilliant and profound play, Leopoldstadt on Broadway.
The London Library President’s Summer Party (London, UK)
July 2022
After a two year hiatus, we were thrilled to invite London Library supporters to the annual President's Summer Party. Hosted by London Library President, Sir Tim Rice, in our magnificent Reading Room, the evening included musical performances and readings.
Dinner with Sir Tim Rice and Sir Howard Davies
May 2022
The International Friends’ Chairman John Spurdle, hosted a special dinner at The Knickerbocker Club in New York in honour of London Library Chairman Sir Howard Davies and Library President Sir Tim Rice. Celebrating Sir Tim's work, biographer, historian and trustee of the International Friends, Dr Amanda Foreman led a fascinating and entertaining discussion with Sir Tim about his life and his many famous musical productions.
Dinner with Tim Bouverie
April 2022
The International Friends were thrilled to host historian and London Library member, Tim Bouverie for a special evening at The Colony Club in New York. Guests enjoyed dinner and drinks with Tim as he spoke about his debut novel Appeasement: Chamberlain, Hitler, Churchill, and the Road to War, which is a ground-breaking history of the disastrous years of indecision, failed diplomacy and parliamentary infighting that enabled Hitler's domination of Europe.
Virtual In Conversation with Sir Simon Schama
April 2022
Art critic, historian, Professor of Art History and History at Columbia University and London Library member, Sir Simon Schama joined the International Friends for a virtual event on the intriguing friendships and rivalries of writers throughout the ages.
In Conversation with Giles Milton
November 2018
Hosted with the New York Society Library, bestselling author and London Library Trustee, Giles Milton, joined us for an evening of conversation and drinks. Giles spoke about his book, Churchill's Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, a gripping and vivid narrative of adventure and derring-do that is also, perhaps, the last great untold story of the Second World War.
Travesties with Sir Tom Stoppard
April 2017
The International Friends and London Library Director, Philip Marshall, hosted a very special evening to celebrate Sir Tom Stoppard’s time as London Library President, a position he stepped down from at the end of 2017.
Guests joined Sir Tom for a reception hosted by Chair of the International Friends, John Spurdle, before a performance of Sir Tom’s Tony award-winning play, Travesties, at The Roundabout Theatre in New York.