Masses or Classes?: The Question of Community in the Foundation of Gladstone's Library

Abstract

William E. Gladstone founded and built St Deiniol's Library during the I880s and I890S near his own residence in Hawarden, not far from Chester. The Library was based on Gladstone's personal library, but it was unclear from the beginning whether it was intended as a 'community' library for the local population. He himself was unwilling to discuss his purpose with local residents, despite his vaunted sympathy for the 'masses' as opposed to the 'classes'. This article examines Gladstone's attitude towards his foundation which eventually emerged as, in effect, a library and meeting-place for informed clergymen.