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Longtime member and actor Helena Bonham Carter CBE has become the first female president of The London Library
Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 22 Nov 2022
Helena Bonham Carter is the first female president in The London Library’s 180-year history Credit: Sane Seven
Helena Bonham Carter CBE has been named president of the London Library, becoming the first female to do so in the institution’s 180-year-history.
The appointment was formally confirmed at the Annual General Meeting, which took place earlier this month, ending the five-year term of incumbent president, lyricist Sir Tim Rice.
According to the institution, Bonham Carter, who is perhaps best known for her role as Bellatrix Lestrange in the Harry Potter films, was selected due to her “creativity and connections with literature and stories, her high profile and potential to advocate among new audiences.”
The honourary position will see longtime member Bonham Carter leading fundraising and advocacy initiatives for the library, which is funded by memberships and receives little public funding.
She will also host the 2022 edition of the library’s annual Christmas party and is said to be particularly interested in the library’s programming, including its growing school initiatives and its highly-regarded Emerging Writers Programme, with library members producing approximately 700 books, as well as 460 film scripts, theatre scripts or TV screenplays per year.
“I’m delighted to become The London Library’s first female president and to champion an institution that is open to all,” said Bonham Carter.
“The library is truly a place like no other, inspiring and supporting writers for over 180 years, many of whom have in some way informed my own career and those of actors everywhere.
“The library’s unique resources, history and membership help to connect the literary greats of the past with those of the future, and I’m proud to support this incredible and vital establishment.”
Commenting on Bonham Carter’s appointment, Philip Marshall, director of The London Library, said: “We’re all thrilled to welcome Helena Bonham Carter as our new president. With a passion for books and stories, and a long-standing love of the library, Helena is ideally placed to promote this tremendous resource for the creative and curious.”
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