Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Marx Memorial Library marks 90th anniversary

It has been characterized as an oasis of knowledge, education, learning, ideas, history and memory for the working class movement in the heart of London. 
 
This year marks the 90th anniversary since the foundation of the Marx Memorial Library and Workers School (MML) which was founded in 1933, on the 50 years since Karl Marx's death, as "a fitting memorial in the form of a centre of working class education to the greatest thinker and revolutionist of all time, in the city where he lived and worked for the greater part of his adult life". 

The building chosen to house it was 37a Clerkenwell Green, which already had a long history of revolutionary activities throughout the centuries, acting as home to many early radical organisations and printing presses. 

It had even hosted Vladimir Lenin, his wife Krupskaya, and other members of the editorial committee of 'Iskra' between 1902-1903, printing 17 issues of the journal there.

Since 1933,  the Library is home to an impressive number and variety of archives and collections (over 60,000 books, pamphlets and periodicals) including the full run of the Daily Worker and Morning Star, the International Brigade Archive, Bernal Peace Library, Klugmann Collection and an extensive Photograph Library. 

Marx Memorial Library can be found at 37a Clerkenwell Green, London, EC1R 0DU.

Tours at MML take place every Monday. The reading room is open Tuesday-Thursday 11am-4pm by appointment. For further information and bookings you can contact info@marx-memorial-library.org.uk. 

  IN DEFENSE OF COMMUNISM ©