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History

The Library is an integral part of the Royal United Services Institute, and has been since its beginning in 1831, when it was established by the Duke of Wellington. King George IV described the Institute as a ‘strictly scientific and professional society’, and this reputation is a result of the importance placed on the library research resources.

Following refurbishment in 1996, the Library of Military History has recaptured its late Victorian feel. Situated over the possible site of Henry VIII’s bed chamber at Whitehall Palace, its floor-to-ceiling bookshelves occupy two floors of semi-circular space surrounded by a gallery. It closely resembles the room designed by Sir Aston Webb (architect for the Admiralty Arch) and Ingress Bell in 1893.

Before moving to its current location in 1895, RUSI and its library were based at the Banqueting House on Whitehall, which was granted to them by Queen Victoria. Manuscript material was previously held by the RUSI Museum (disbanded in 1963), and has now been transferred to the Public Record Office, the National Maritime Museum, the National Army Museum and the Imperial War Museum. Researchers seeking manuscript material are directed to these archive repositories.

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