The British Library

London Buildings

Young David—we always called him Young to distinguish him from the old David—worked at the Kindersley Workshop in Cambridge, which was then, and still is, led by the Dutch Lida Lopes Cardozo, wife of (the old) David. I have fond memories of that period, especially because I met my life partner, Julie, there.

At the time, Young David was working on the design for the doors of the new British Library, which was currently under construction. I found it fascinating to follow his progress. I remember Young David's original design, where he gradually faded the "British Library" letters, cut from steel, into something that looked more like Egyptian hieroglyphs at the bottom of the door.

I also remember Young David's disappointment when the board of the British Library, or perhaps it was simply the architect responsible, rejected the design. They wanted a less abstract entrance door, which Young David reluctantly began working on. I had already left Cambridge before the final result was apparently approved.

This isn't the only work the Workshop created for the British National Library. They were primarily letter cuttters and carved "THE BRITISH LIBRARY" on the red sandstone above the gate. It looks quite robust to me. I think one of the lighter fonts—somewhere near the top of the door—would have worked better, but who am I?

On a recent visit to the Library, I discovered a third work by the Kindersley Workshop. At least I assume that the letters carved into the wall near the entrance to commemorate the building's opening were also chiseled by the Workshop.

I looked at it with some surprise. I was in Cambridge in the autumn of 1991. As far as I know, construction on the new library was already well underway. But apparently, it wouldn't be until mid-1998 before the building could open.

I'll be visiting the British Library regularly in the coming weeks. I've applied for a reader's pass with a view to writing a book about the virtues of penance - or perhaps it will be more about people who constantly blame somebody else for everything. In my opinion, this is the the evil of our times.

I already have the title of the book, The First Stone. After all, you can only throw it if you yourself are without sin. I'm looking forward to working on it. It certainly gives me every opportunity to regularly think of Young David, and of the door that could have been even more beautiful than it already is.