Every Christmas from the 1890s until 1914,
Henry Wellcome gave a book to the employees of his pharmaceutical business, Burroughs Wellcome and Co. As some of these titles remain in the Library's collections, we wondered if they would shed some light on Henry and his feelings towards his staff, as well as attitudes of employers in Victorian and Edwardian times more generally.
Among the titles, there's some fiction, a little poetry, numerous biographical works and at least one compendium. Most of the titles were popular at the time, but not all of them are remembered in the 21st century. A clear theme from the titles is that of self-improvement and utility. Through examples of self-made men promoting the virtues of hard work, Wellcome was not only giving role models to his staff, but also commenting on his own journey from impoverished childhood in rural America to wealth and success in London. A journey made through sheer hard work.
For example, in 1907 Wellcome gave as his Christmas book Samuel Smiles's
Life and Labour (1887). One of the bestselling authors of the late Victorian period, Smiles advocated social advancement through the virtuous acts of hard work, thrift and sobriety. He can even be seen as the forerunner of the various self-help guides you find today. Even in Wellcome's gift of 1911 –
Cassell's Book of Sports and Pastimes - there is a sense of practicality. This title was full of advice on making, mending and healthy pursuits, which suggested to the staff as they unwrapped their gifts that even their spare time should be spent in a useful, practical manner.
Another clear theme in Wellcome's choices is his growing interest in Africa. By 1914, he had not only opened the groundbreaking Wellcome Tropical Research Laboratory in Khartoum but also carried out extensive archaeological excavations in Sudan (both activities he felt had practical philanthropic benefits to the local populations).
This interest in Africa comes through in his 1914 gift,
The Autobiography of Sir Henry Stanley, edited by Dorothy Stanley (Henry Stanley the journalist and explorer - another self-made man - was a close friend of Wellcome's). It's also evident in two other choices from the 1890s:
Fire & Sword in the Sudan and
With Kitchener to Khartoum - two titles on the British Army's derring-do in Sudan in the late 19th century.
Of the more famous works of literature Wellcome gave, Henry Longfellow's romanticised poem of Native American life,
The Song of Haiwatha, is suggestive of Wellcome's childhood in rural Minnesota, growing up close to the Sioux. His choice of
Gulliver's Travels is more intriguing: perhaps Wellcome saw in Gulliver's adventures a lone individual pulling himself through against difficult odds?
So, Henry Wellcome's choice of gift does offer a degree of insight into his interests and attitudes, and also how he wished to be perceived. His selections are very much of their time - as are, however, his thoughts on his staff. In 1910, Wellcome chose Charles Darwin’s
The Voyage of the Beagle. But he chose it for male employees. Women received copies of the
Encyclopaedia of Needlework.
(A version of this post also appeared in the most recent edition of Wellcome News).
While I've been laid up all week with a nasty cold I have been listening to the beautiful voices of Libera. Simply divine.
For example, in 1907 Wellcome gave as his Christmas book Samuel Smiles's Life and Labour (1887). One of the bestselling authors of the late Victorian period, Smiles advocated social advancement through the virtuous acts of hard work, thrift and sobriety. He can even be seen as the forerunner of the various self-help guides you find today. Even in Wellcome's gift of 1911 – Cassell's Book of Sports and Pastimes - there is a sense of practicality. This title was full of advice on making, mending and healthy pursuits, which suggested to the staff as they unwrapped their gifts that even their spare time should be spent in a useful, practical manner.
Loads of fun. Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park has all the festivities in one place. Ice-skating, rides, food, markets and a beautiful setting.
Hotdogs, waffles, mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, rides, tacky presents to buy. It must be a Xmas Fair.
It must be Xmas. There are elves and reindeer in Covent Garden. These two had baskets of those striped candy walking sticks that you only see at this time of the year.
We may be in for a white Xmas. I believe it was about 10 years ago that London had a white Xmas.
Every year since 1947 a giant spruce is given by the Norwegians to London in gratitude for support during the war.
Xmas shopping is in full swing. Take your pick; the high street shops or the festive Xmas markets. The markets really win me over this time of year. The smells of seasonal food and drink and the sense of fun and frivolity. I'm still not brave enough to touch the glass baubles though after a tremendously spectacular explosion at Conran's last year involving a rather large and expensive glass decoration that I just happened to nudge eek
I'm still having technical difficulties, but have managed to upload a picture although it took an awfully long time. 
From now until 24 December catch an ice-sculpture at St Pancras station. You may even get to see it being made, like this snowman being carved out of giant blocks of ice. Created using a chainsaw, sander and giant chisel.
Department store windows are always fabulous at Xmas time. Here Selfridges is one of the best. A year's planning by 40 people go into their spectacular show..jpg)
As the season of good cheer inexorably draws nearer, it is customary to be bombarded with ‘essential’ lists of what to wear, buy or cook. If you fancy jumping off the consumerist bandwagon but would still appreciate a little festive guidance, why not print out and keep our Top 10 Tips for Surviving Christmas - 17th century-style.
to order the turkey and have to make do with what's to hand 
Xmas lights at the Brunswick Centre.
Opposite Selfridges in Oxford St has been a big empty site. A building was demolished some time ago and nothing has gone into the space.
Are you ready for Xmas lights yet? 
Each day more decorations are appearing around the city. Colourful blowup decorations and brightly coloured trees are the choice of Carnaby St.
