100 Writers

A new publication showcasing one hundred portraits of writers, authors and essayists held in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery, London, from William Shakespeare to Malala Yousafzai. Richly illustrated throughout, the publication will also feature an introductory essay by a leading author and quotations by some of the writers presented.

The National Portrait Gallery, London, holds a large collection of portraits featuring sitters who have played an important role in British history and culture across the periods, many of which have also made significant contributions as writers.

100 Writers will be the first Gallery publication to bring together portraits of writers from varied disciplines and periods into one publication. An illustrated introductory text will explore the range of writers’ portraits held in the Gallery and the important role they have played in British culture. It will also look at the relationship between the written word and visual arts, encompassing the variety of writers and themes.

This new title will include earlier sixteenth-century works through to contemporary portraits, with a focus on writers who have made an important contribution to a number of areas such as literature, history, philosophy and politics. Select works will also be accompanied by quotations taken from interviews, essays and acclaimed works by a number of the writers.

The book will be of the same compact format as earlier 100s titles such as 100 Photographs and 100 Portraits and will be a welcome addition to this series of books, presenting highlights from the collection through the lens of literature.