‘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 Commissioner Ron Dobson, described in the exhibition guide as “Commissioner Ron Dobson, London Fire Brigade, National Firefighters Memorial, City of London”
Each Londoner was asked to provide answers to four questions. These are the answers provided by Commissioner Ron Dobson: Question: “Where do you go to show people the real London?” Answer: “It’s difficult to pick one place to represent the real London because it’s so different. The view from The Shard shows the different sides of London: old and new, all the stages of London. The East End shows the contrast between the old docks and Canary Wharf now. You can compare the different styles of architecture and see a microcosm of how London has changed over the years.” Question: “If you sent a postcard from London, what view would you choose?” Answer: “I’d choose St Paul’s for my postcard. It’s beautiful from any viewpoint and has a historic link with the London Fire Brigade as it was saved during the Blitz.” Question: “If there was another Great Fire of London, what historic building or place would you save?” Answer: “And I’d save it from another Great Fire. We (The London Fire Brigade) saved it once and it’s a building we would always save.” Question: “What do you owe London?” Answer: “What do I owe London? That’s easy: everything. I was born in London, schooled in London, have worked for the London Fire Brigade for 37 years and met my wife in London. I owe London everything.”
This is part of the Job: 2K/27184 'I Am London' Exhibition - Commissioner Ron Dobson, London Fire Brigade; 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
Late 20th Century War Memorial, People Posed