The writers and thinkers of John Murray's publishing firm shaped the modern world through their works of literature, science, exploration and politics.

This exhibitiondraws on material from the John Murray Archive. It uses state-of-the-art exhibition technology to bring to life the work and lives of a changing selection of the publisher's most influential figures.

Those featured in the first line-up include Lord Byron, Charles Darwin and David Livingstone.

Learn how they contributed to one of the greatest periods of human progress and creativity. See if you could publish your own international bestseller.

Admission free. No need to book.

NLS Director of Development Giles Dove said: 'I think when people and organisations can actually see, through the exhibition and our other activities, just what a wonderful resource this archive is, they will be even more encouraged to have a stake in it for themselves by donating to the campaign for the John Murray Archive.'

NLS have also published a book to tie-in with the opening of the exhibition. Ideas that Shaped the World: An Introduction to the John Murray Archive, edited by David McClay and with a foreword by Magnus Linklater, offers a fascinating glimpse into the political, social and intellectual life of the firm's heyday via the correspondence between authors and publisher. Richly illustrated throughout and drawing on unique source material from the archive, with chapters written by the JMA curatorial and cataloguing team, the book provides insights into not only what a publisher's archive tells us about their authors and the world they inhabited, but also the journey of an idea from its genesis to its publication.

The book is in softback format, 52 pages and priced £6.50. It is available to buy direct from NLS or online at www.tmiltd.com.

Exhibition Opening Hours:
Monday to Saturday 10.00 to 17.00
Sunday 14.00 to 17.00