Westgate Road, Literary and Philosophical Society

This building was listed Grade II* in 1954 with the following description:
'Private library and society rooms. 1822 by John Green; stone mason John Ions of Gateshead. Sandstone ashlar; roof not visible. Greek revival style. 3 storeys, 3 bays under pediment. Moulded plinths; rusticated ground floor with wide square stone steps to double door recessed behind fluted Ionic columns; Voussoirs to this and to flanking aproned sashes. First-floor sashes in architraves, with cornices, the central bracketed; projecting sills to square second-floor sashes; all windows have glazing bars. Top entablature with triglyphs and guttae. Ends set back and entablature follows. 1885 addition of rear wing at right-angles obscured by Bolbec Hall (q.v.). Interior shows much classical stucco ornament on friezes; wrought-iron balconies and spiral stair to library gallery; low-domed roof lights with glazing bars. Extension at rear with similar-style interior 1888/9 by A.B. Gibson. Sculpture collection includes busts of Bewick 1825 by Bailey, of Rev. Turner 1829 by Bailey; of George Stephenson 1832 by Moore; of Robert Stephenson 1855 by Wyon; and statue of James Losh 1836 by Lough.' {1}.
The library was completed in 1825. The Lit & Phil began as a learned body based on Birmingham's 'Lunar Society'. It was the brainchild of the Rev. William Turner and was founded in 1793. In September 1822 the Duke of Sussex laid a grand ceremonial foundation stone, which was followed by dinner in the Assembly Rooms, with 53 speeches and 35 toasts. During the 19th century the library was the centre for learning in Newcastle. The town's scientists, engineers, industrialists and others met there. In 1817 George Stephenson showed his newly invented miners' lamp. In 1844 William George Armstrong first spoke on electricity. In 1880 Joseph William Swan demonstrated the first incandescent electric light. Past presidents include Robert Stephenson, Lord W.G. Armstrong and Sir Charles Parsons. In 1893 the building was almost destroyed by fire. Reconstructed 1893-4 by FW Rich. It is the largest independent library outside London with a collection of over 160,000 books. LISTED GRADE 2*