London Review of Books

Overview

The London Review of Books (LRB) is a British literary magazine published fortnightly, featuring long-form essays and book reviews on literature, politics, history, philosophy and the arts.

History

The LRB was founded in 1979, during a year-long lockout that suspended publication of the Times Literary Supplement, by Karl Miller, Mary-Kay Wilmers and Susannah Clapp. It launched as an insert within The New York Review of Books before becoming an independent publication in May 1980, after Wilmers began investing money inherited from her father to sustain it. Wilmers became co-editor in 1988 and sole editor in 1992, a role she held until stepping down in January 2021 after nearly 30 years; deputy editor Jean McNicol and senior editor Alice Spawls succeeded her as co-editors.

Notable works

The LRB has published prominent essays including Mary Beard's response to the September 11 attacks and Pankaj Mishra's 2011 critique of historian Niall Ferguson's "Civilisation," which prompted a libel threat from Ferguson. The magazine operates the London Review Bookshop in Bloomsbury, opened in 2003.

Key personnel

Co-Editors: Jean McNicol and Alice Spawls
Consulting Editor: Mary-Kay Wilmers

Audience

The LRB has the largest circulation of any magazine of its kind in Europe, reported at 73,366 in its 2024 Audit Bureau of Circulations figures, and is funded in part by the Wilmers family trust rather than advertising.

Location and contact info

Address
London, England
Website
https://www.lrb.co.uk