The Devon and Exeter Institution

02/06/2026

A new Book of the Month blog from our Library Volunteer Edward!

This time, Edward is exploring the extraordinary life of chemist and inventor Sir Humphry Davy.

https://devonandexeterinstitution.org/the-davy-with-the-lamp/

20/05/2026

Great to welcome the Cranbrook Cub Scouts earlier this week, who explored our wartime newspaper collection as part of the . 🗞️🔍

Using our activity, we investigated wartime reporting, propaganda and how news was shared during the Second World War - discovering that not everything in print can be taken at face value.

A brilliant evening of curiosity, questions and detective work with .

Supported by

14/05/2026

Today’s news:

Extract from a letter in the Western Times December 1849, addressing the appointment of Eliza Squance as Librarian of the Institution:

‘I most cordially agree with you in your remarks condemnatory of the appointment of the daughter of the late librarian as his successor, especially as this is an era when many literary men of well known capabilities would have been glad to fill the situation the emoluments of which, directly and indirectly, must have been large, the late custodian having for some years made a most handsome livelihood. Miss Squance may be admirably fitted for the ordinary duties such as keeping the books free from dust and injury but unless she approach near a ‘blue stocking’ she cannot be sufficiently versed in general literature to be a fit and proper party to have the care of such an Institution, the largest, I believe, in the West of England...’

Discover more about Eliza and our historic newspaper collections at our Librarian’s Tour this afternoon, 2pm. A couple of spots still available. Link in bio.

Supported by

06/05/2026

👂Venue hire edition…

📚Did you know that you can hire the Institution for business meetings, special occasions and film location?

📚All details in bio and on the website

05/05/2026

"Deprive the lion of his mane, the c**k of its comb, the peac**k of the emerald plumage of its tail, the ram and deer of their horns, and they not only become displeasing to the eye, but lose much of their power and vigour"

This was part of the London barber Alexander Rowland's plea for beards and moustaches - a contentious issue in the Victorian period!

Rowland's text 'The Human Hair' investigated the science and culture of hair. He included references to literature, biology and popular styles across different periods and places. His views reflected Victorian perceptions of society, culture and ethnography.

01/05/2026

May is here 🌸 save for your calendars 📌

28/04/2026

17/04/2026

Please join us for the final lecture in our "A New Leaf Series." Dr Martin Calder will discuss the 18th Century scholar, Benjamin Kennicott.

Tickets are available in our bio or at our front desk!

10/04/2026

We are very pleased to be taking part in the South West Shakespeare Festival!

Drop in between 12-2pm on Saturday 25th April to see a pop-up display, 'Illustrating Shakespeare', featuring beautiful illustrations in our Victorian books and periodicals.

This display has been curated by library volunteer Romilly Spaul, who will be on hand to discuss the display with visitors.

Free and open to all.

https://lightbearlane.org/shakespeare/