Anthony Panizzi

Panizzi’s work at the British Library, especially on the foundations of cataloguing, had a long-lasting international influence. Foscolo, already in political exile, helped him re-establish himself. Thackeray, Macaulay and de Morgan were influential friends, Babbage a correspondent, while Roget clashed with him (Carlyle had an extended feud with him, but little direct contact). Mérimée had a wonderfully convivial friendship and correspondence with Panizzi, staying with him several times, and applying his ideas to the Bibliothèque National in Paris. Libri followed him into exile, bringing thousands of books he’d stolen.