David Copperfield's Library

By John Brett Langstaff

"David Copperfield's Library" chronicles the founding and mission of the first children's library in London, established in the very house where Charles Dickens resided during his youth in Somers Town. This work explores the transformation of 13 Johnson Street into a dedicated space for children to engage with literature, mirroring the spirit and trials of Dickens's famous protagonist.

The narrative delves into the social and cultural significance of providing free access to books for the youth of a bustling metropolitan area. It highlights the collaborative efforts of literary figures, local supporters, and international contributors who sought to create a living memorial to Dickens. By documenting the library's early years, the author offers insights into the history of library science, the preservation of literary landmarks, and the impact of 19th-century social reform on 20th-century educational practices.

This work serves as an essential account for readers interested in the legacy of Charles Dickens, the development of specialized library services, and the historical intersection of urban social work and English literature.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1025495322
• ISBN13: 9781025495323
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: Tradd Street Press
• Length: 166 Pages
• Weight: 0.53 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.1" x 9.2"