The Collections

The cathedral collections can be divided into three broad groups: the fabric archive, the architectural archive and the library.

The Fabric Archive

The fabric archive denotes a great variety of objects associated with the history of the construction and decoration of St Paul’s Cathedral and objects which have been or still are used or presented within the building. Within the fabric archive there are some very remarkable and important artefacts that are significant to the history of St Paul’s Cathedral, including models, paintings and archaeological stones. Many famous artists, architects and designers have contributed works to the decoration of the cathedral including William Holman Hunt, William Burgess, Alfred Stevens and G.F. Watts, Auguste Rodin and Henry Moore.

The Architectural Archive

The Architectural Archive contains the papers and drawings created by the Surveyor to the Fabric and related drawings by consultants, contractors, artists and designers. The drawings and papers date from the surveyorship of F C Penrose (1852-1897) to the present day and chart the structural changes and decorative embellishments to the Cathedral during this period.

The Library

The books and manuscripts are housed in one of London’s best-preserved 18th century interiors, the cathedral library. The Dean and Chapter of St Paul’s have retained a working library in the present building since 1720. Today it houses approximately 21,500 volumes, including printed books, manuscripts and separate pamphlets. These works accrued through purchase, bequest and donation, largely from 1690 onwards, form a collection still used today by academics, students and researchers of all kinds. Dean and Chapter, Minor Canons, and Cathedral School archives once held in the Library are now on long-term deposit at Guildhall Library.

The collections are managed and conserved by an in-house team composed of a Conservator, a Librarian, an Architectural Archivist and a Collections Manager. For contact information click here