author
Sir Anthony Panizzi
1797–1879
Exiled from Italy for his patriot politics, he rebuilt his life in London and went on to transform the British Museum Library. His drive for order, access, and ambitious public learning helped shape the modern research library.
1 Audiobook
On the supply of printed books from the library to the reading room of the British Museum
by Sir Anthony Panizzi
About the author
Born in Brescello in 1797, Anthony Panizzi studied law in Parma and became involved in the patriotic movements that opposed the old political order in Italy. Pressure from those activities forced him into exile, and he eventually settled in Britain, where he built a new career as a scholar, librarian, and public figure.
Panizzi is best remembered for his work at the British Museum, where he rose from assistant librarian to Principal Librarian. He pushed for better cataloguing, expanded the library's collections, and played a leading role in the creation of the famous Round Reading Room, helping turn the museum library into one of the great centers of research in Europe.
He never lost interest in Italian affairs and remained connected to the cause of Italian unity even while living in London. Knighted in Britain, Panizzi left behind a reputation for energy, discipline, and a belief that great libraries should serve serious readers on the widest possible scale.