‘I am London’ was an exhibition curated in 2016 by Historic England. The description of the exhibition, as published in the accompanying guide, states that: “London’s historic buildings and places are as much a part of the city’s DNA as the people who live and work in it.
I am London is a celebration of the capital’s unique and complex identity; as much about its scientific endeavour, cutting edge art, performance and design, politics and campaigning, as its pubs, Pearly Kings and parks. It’s a snapshot of London in microcosm, told through its people and places.
60 Londoners, each with a different story to tell, have been photographed at a historic building or place that’s special to them. Each person’s unique London story is bound up in the place they have chosen, showing the city’s heritage is inspirational, provocative, frustrating, fun, familiar, humbling and home.
We want Londoners to be alive to their heritage, to ensure that, as London grows and changes, it keeps its essential character. From Soho to Brixton, from city to suburbs, London’s great old places keep on embracing generation after generation of Londoners — in turn, they light up our city with new ideas and fresh thinking. If we lose London’s fabric and character, we will lose something very precious.”
This image shows Bob Dee, described in the exhibition guide as “Head Waiter, Lloyd’s, One Lime Street, City of London”
Each Londoner was asked to provide answers to four questions. These are the answers provided by Bob Dee: Question: “Where do you go to show people the real London?” Answer: “The Lloyd’s building is the real London. The history and the tradition, a fusion of modern and old world. People think it’s old fashioned but that couldn’t be further from the truth. My job title is a 327 year-old tradition.” Question: “If you sent a postcard from London, what view would you choose?” Answer: “The panoramic view of London from the top of The Shard would make a great view of London.” Question: “If there was another Great Fire of London, what historic building or place would you save?” Answer: “I would save Lloyd’s if there was another Great Fire.” Question: “What do you owe London?” Answer: “I owe London the opportunity that I wouldn’t have had in Liverpool. And family, I met my ex-wife here and we have three children together.”
This is part of the Job: 2K/27160 'I Am London' Exhibition - Bob Dee, Head Waiter At Lloyd's Of London; within the Volume: VF000591 'I Am London' Exhibition; within the Series: HEC01/139 'I Am London' Exhibition; within the Collection: HEC01 Historic England
© Historic England Archive
Photographer: Redgrave, Christopher: Historic England
Commercial Office, People Posed