Putney Library to Host Talks on Cemetery Railways and Literary Lives

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John Clarke and Hugh Thompson shed light on two diverse subjects

Putney Library. Picture: Google Streetview

September 19, 2025

Two upcoming talks at Putney Library will explore overlooked chapters of British history and literature, as part of the autumn programme organised by The Friends of Putney Library.

On Thursday 25 September, historian and author John Clarke will present an illustrated lecture on the Brookwood Necropolis Railway, a unique funeral transport system that operated from 1854 to 1941. Run by the London Necropolis Company, the railway conveyed coffins and mourners from a private station near Waterloo to Brookwood Cemetery in Surrey—then the largest burial ground in the world. Clarke, a leading authority on Brookwood Cemetery and author of The Brookwood Necropolis Railway, will explain how the railway functioned, its social context, and its legacy. Refreshments will be served from 6.00pm, with the talk beginning at 6.30pm. Entry is free, with donations welcome.

On Thursday 9 October, local writer and commentator Hugh Thompson will deliver a talk titled Who’s Not Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, focusing on Leonard Woolf, the political theorist, publisher, and husband of Virginia Woolf. Thompson will explore Woolf’s formative years in Putney, where he lived on Colinette Road until 1914, and his later role as editor, carer, and co-founder of the Hogarth Press. The talk will shed light on Woolf’s own literary achievements and his influence within the Bloomsbury Group. Refreshments will again be served from 6.00pm, with the talk starting at 6.30pm. Booking is available via library staff or Eventbrite.

Both events are hosted by The Friends of Putney Library, a volunteer-led group founded in 2013 to support and promote the library’s role in the community. The Friends organise regular talks, exhibitions, and children’s activities, aiming to enhance public engagement with local history, literature, and civic life.

Putney Library, a Grade II listed building on Disraeli Road, has long served as a hub for cultural and educational events. Its recent programming reflects a commitment to accessible, community-focused learning.

For more information or to reserve a place, contact Putney Library on 020 8780 3085.

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