British Museum's X-rated reading room protocol in the 1970s
Jill Lewis recalls her experience in the early 1970s at the British Museum's Reading Room, where she requested Robert Benayoun's book 'Erotique de Surréalisme' for PhD research on French surrealist poet Paul Éluard. Instead of receiving the book directly, she was handed a card printed with the word 'FIE!' and directed to a service desk. She was then taken to a small adjacent room where an elderly male employee brought the book and sat at a raised desk to supervise her reading. Lewis survived the reading and remains fond of the word 'Fie!', which she notes is now sadly neglected but perhaps much needed in today's world.
Key facts
- Jill Lewis requested Robert Benayoun's 'Erotique de Surréalisme' at the British Museum's Reading Room in the early 1970s.
- She was researching French surrealist poet Paul Éluard for her PhD.
- She received a card with the word 'FIE!' printed on it.
- She was taken to a small adjacent room to read the book.
- An elderly male employee supervised her reading from a raised desk.
- The incident is recalled in a letter to The Guardian.
- The letter references an article titled 'Depraved by Daisy Dixon review – a history of dark and dangerous art' published on 1 July.
- Lewis remains fond of the word 'Fie!' and considers it much needed today.
Entities
Artists
- Paul Éluard
- Robert Benayoun
Institutions
- British Museum
- The Guardian
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom