Oxford England: Blackwell Bookshop
Blackwell Bookshop
University of Oxford
48-51 Broad St, Oxford OX1 3BQ, UK
One of the world’s most memorable bookstores!
Whenever I am anywhere near Oxford, I cannot resist making a pilgrimage to Blackwell Bookshop. There are over forty branches across the U.K. Founded in 1879 by Benjamin Henry Blackwell, son of the first city librarian, who having finished his education at 13, was apprenticed to a local bookseller for a shilling a week. His father, Benjamin Harris Blackwell, had been heavily involved in the Temperance Society. The society promoted, as well as religion, self-education and also encouraged reading.
The flagship shop at 48–51 Broad Street, Oxford, was originally only twelve feet square but quickly grew to incorporate the upstairs, cellar and neighboring shops. Benjamin Henry Blackwell was well respected in Oxford and was elected the first Liberal councilor for Oxford North.
