Special book collections

Biographies Collection

The biography collection

We have approximately 80,000 books in our special biography collection and add over 1,000 new titles each year. The collection includes:

  • biographies
  • autobiographies
  • diaries
  • journals
  • collections of letters
  • speeches

A unique collection

Our collection is expansive and unique, and includes:

  • renowned public speakers such as Winston Churchill
  • prolific letter writers such as Queen Victoria
  • collected biographies (about more than one person)
  • rare, out-of-print editions dating back to early 1700s
  • biographies from other public libraries, academic institutions and public donations from members of the public

View or borrow biographies

The collection is housed at Kensington Central Library. Every title in the collection is available to view and borrow.

Staff will be happy to answer your enquiries about books in the Biography Store Collection and go to the store to retrieve a book for you. Please ask at our Here to Help desk.


Useful biography eResources

We have some useful biography eResources which are free to access with your Kensington and Chelsea library card. Take a look at our Biographies eResources page

Last updated: 1 July 2024