Friends of the National Libraries

The Friends of the National Libraries was founded in 1931. It is a voluntary organisation consisting mainly of individual members, with the purpose of helping libraries in the United Kingdom acquire books, manuscripts and archives. The Friends do this by giving grants for acquisitions by National Libraries; eliciting and channelling benefactions; and organising appeals and publicity.

Friends of the National Libraries

Support from the Friends has enabled the Gallery to acquire manuscripts, books and associated portraits of outstanding significance:

  • Letters and papers relating to the Kit-cat club, 1689-1777, acquired in 1945
  • Extra-illustrated set of the Dictionary of National Biography, from the collection of J.H. Macdonnell, acquired in 1966
  • Manuscript ledger by George Romney, 1786-96, acquired in 1981
  • The Brownlow album of mezzotint portraits after Lely and Van Dyck published by Alexander Browne, acquired in 1985
  • Manuscript sketchbook by George Romney, c.1772, acquired in 1994
  • Lady Ottoline Morrell Photograph Collection, acquired in 2003

 
A selection of works acquired with help from the Friends of the National Libraries.

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John Gerard
by William Rogers, after Unknown artist
published 1598
NPG D2756

Sir Peter Lely
published by Alexander Browne, after Sir Peter Lely
circa 1680-1684
NPG D11398

The Five Eldest Children of King Charles I
published by Alexander Browne, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
circa 1680-1684 (1637)
NPG D11400

King Charles II
published by Alexander Browne, after Sir Peter Lely
circa 1680-84 (circa 1671)
NPG D11401

Mary of Modena
published by Alexander Browne, after Sir Peter Lely
circa 1680-1684
NPG D11402

Henry FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Grafton
by Isaac Beckett, published by Alexander Browne, after Thomas Hawker
circa 1684
NPG D11403

Frances Teresa Stuart, Duchess of Richmond and Lennox
published by Alexander Browne, after Sir Peter Lely
circa 1684 (circa 1678-1680)
NPG D11404

King Charles I; King Charles II
published by Alexander Browne, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
circa 1684 (circa 1632)
NPG D11399

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