When Edward Bond, then Keeper of Manuscripts, was appointed Principal Librarian of the British Museum in 1878 it was ‘to the surprise of many, including himself’. In spite of this unpromising start he proved to be one of the most innovative of directors. Among his achievements was the introduction of electric light into the Reading Room, opening the Museum to the public every day, allowing the admission of babes in arms, the installation of sliding book presses to relieve pressure on space and the erection of the White Wing.

He had five daughters and this portrait was painted and donated by one of them, Mildred Barham Bond, whose husband was Professor of Greek at University College London.