Leonard Woolf Subject of Next Autumn Talk at Putney Library
Hugh Thompson sheds light on author raised on Colinette Road
Leonard Woolf
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October 3, 2025
The Friends of Putney Library continues its autumn programme with a second talk on Thursday 9 October, following a well-attended and engaging event last month that explored one of Britain’s most unusual transport systems.
On 25 September, historian and author John Clarke presented an illustrated lecture on the Brookwood Necropolis Railway—a funeral transport line that operated from 1854 to 1941, carrying coffins and mourners from a private station near Waterloo to Brookwood Cemetery in Surrey. Clarke, a leading authority on the subject, shared insights into the railway’s social context and legacy, drawing from his book The Brookwood Necropolis Railway. The evening was warmly received, with attendees praising the depth of research and evocative storytelling.
Next week, 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.
The event takes place on Thursday 9 October at Putney Library, with refreshments served from 6.00pm and the talk beginning at 6.30pm. Entry is free, and booking is available via library staff or Eventbrite. Donations are welcome.
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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