Research Experience at the British Museum
Jill Lewis recounts her experience reading erotica for academic research in the British Museum’s Reading Room during the early 1970s.
For her PhD research on the French surrealist poet Paul Éluard, she requested access to Robert Benayoun’s book Erotique de Surréalisme at the British Museum library.
Upon making the request, she was handed a card with the word:
“FIE!”
printed on it and was directed to the service desk. From there, an elderly male employee escorted her to a small adjacent room where he personally brought the book and then sat at a raised desk to supervise her reading.
Despite the unusual circumstances, Jill Lewis completed her reading, describing the experience as illuminating. She also reflects fondly on the now rarely used word “Fie!” which she suggests might be much needed in today’s world.
Jill Lewis
Norwich
