‘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 John Harris, described in the exhibition guide as “Funeral Director, T Cribb & Sons, City of London Cemetery Church, Newham”
Each Londoner was asked to provide answers to four questions. These are the answers provided by John Harris: Question: “Where do you go to show people the real London?” Answer: “The Tower of London epitomises the real London and England, but if you’re going on a historical journey, it’s Westminster Abbey. With Westminster Abbey every monument and effigy tells a story and covers a huge part of our history, from late medieval times right the way through.” Question: “If you sent a postcard from London, what view would you choose?” Answer: “I’d send a postcard of Buckingham Palace because I’m a great royalist. I don’t know how many of us there are left. If we’re going to be proud in our country, that’s got to be the place. For that reason I’d save the Palace from another Great Fire too!” Question: “If there was another Great Fire of London, what historic building or place would you save?” Answer: “...For that reason I’d save the Palace from another Great Fire too!”” Question: “What do you owe London?” Answer: “I owe London a livelihood, and pride at being a part of it. If I could turn the clock back, I’d like to keep London in a capsule how it was a couple of decades ago. I’m not impressed with how’s it’s changed totally. Working in London today is so much more pressure; it’s not the fun it used to be.”
This is part of the Job: 2K/27180 'I am London' exhibition - John Harris, Funeral Director; 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
Anglican Church, Cemetery, Horse Drawn Transport, People Posed
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