The Warburg Institute appoints new Librarian and Director of Collections

Giles takes his place in a long line of scholar-librarians stretching back to the Institute’s early years in Hamburg, and he will join the Warburg at a crucial moment in its history as it completes the £14.5m ‘Warburg Renaissance’ project that will create new facilities for collections, exhibitions and events.

Giles Mandelbrote has served since 2010 as the Librarian and Archivist of Lambeth Palace Library, the Church of England’s national library and archive, and has had a major role in the creation of a new, purpose-built nine-storey building which is now offering the institution’s first full programme of public events and exhibitions. He has also integrated the collections and staff of the former Church of England Record Centre into the Library, and built up an impressive set of research grants and digitisation projects.

Before moving to Lambeth, Giles Mandelbrote spent 15 years as Curator of British Collections 1501-1800 at the British Library. He has served on committees of the Bibliographical Society, Private Libraries Association and Society of Antiquaries, as well as (from time to time) offering expert advice to the National Heritage Memorial Fund, the Heritage Lottery Fund and the DCMS Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest.

A leading historian of the book trade and a regular teacher of the History of the Book, Giles Mandelbrote is already well known to staff and students in the School of Advanced Study. Since 2008, he has been the co-convenor of a research seminar on the History of Libraries that brings together the Warburg, the Institute of English Studies and the Institute of Historical Research. 

He joins the Warburg in July.

Bill Sherman, Director of the Warburg Institute, said: ‘We are very fortunate to find someone with the stature and experience of Giles Mandelbrote. His track-record as a librarian, scholar and teacher is truly exceptional and his successful work at Lambeth will serve him—and us—well as we deliver the Warburg Renaissance.’

Giles Mandelbrote said: ‘The Warburg’s books, photographs and archives form an extraordinary and unique resource. It will be a privilege to contribute to the collection’s future at this exciting time and I am greatly looking forward to working with the library’s staff and the research community around it.’