Harry Potter:
A History of Magic
Role: Harry Potter Creative Producer (Regional) for the British Library
On 20 October 2017, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the publication of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling, the British Library and the Living Knowledge Network launched the largest ever national exhibition of its kind in the UK: Harry Potter: A History of Magic.
I produced the regional displays, launched simultaneously in 20 public libraries across the country in tandem with the main exhibition at the British Library in London. Between 20 October 2017 and 28 February 2018 the displays toured a total of 40 libraries, from big cities to small towns, across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The specially-designed panel displays, themed around the subjects studied at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, featured images of some of the rare books, manuscripts and magical objects featured in the British Library’s exhibition in London, as well as images of material from J.K. Rowling and Bloomsbury’s own collections. Most libraries also displayed amazing items from their own collections, celebrating the magical and historical roots in each local area. Five hundred physical items were showcased in total, some of which went on display to the public for the very first time such as rare books Theatrum Botanicum, The Botanical Register and Astronomical Observations in Exeter, a botanical collection dating back to the 15th century in Leeds, and some articles from the occult collection in Glasgow.
The exhibition was the largest of its kind ever in the UK: over 170,000 visitors in London, and over 775,000 visitors to the regional displays, including 50 schools visits, and over 14,000 people attending events linked to the exhibition such as quizzes and live-streamed talks themed around the Hogwarts subjects.
