The life and correspondence of Sir Anthony Panizzi, K.C.B., Vol. 2 (of 2) Late principal librarian of the British museum, senator of Italy, etc.

"The Life and Correspondence of Sir Anthony Panizzi, K.C.B., Vol. 2" by Louis Fagan is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The work chronicles the life and achievements of Sir Anthony Panizzi, a notable figure who served as the Principal Librarian of the British Museum, detailing his career, challenges, and correspondences. This volume particularly focuses on Panizzi's appointment, his strategies in managing the library, and interactions with key political figures of the time. The opening of the volume reveals a significant turning point in Panizzi's life as he navigates the aftermath of the retirement of Sir Henry Ellis and his own subsequent appointment as the Principal Librarian in 1856. Amidst public and media scrutiny, Panizzi's qualifications are championed through various correspondences from supporters and detractors alike, illustrating the complexities of institutional politics in the British Museum. As he faces resistance based on his foreign origins and controversial proposals, Panizzi's determination to reform the museum shines through, setting the stage for his later contributions to the institution's development and reputation. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Louis Alexander Fagan was an Anglo-Italian writer and artist. He worked in the Department of Prints and Drawings for the British Museum from 1869 to 1894, and wrote various books on the department. A painting of him by John Singer Sargent sold at auction for $118,750 in 2020.