About Kenneth Williams at 100: A Celebration
22 February 2026 would have been the 100th birthday of the inimitable Kenneth Williams (1926–1988). Beloved for his performances in the Carry On films, Just a Minute and Round the Horne, he was also a dazzling raconteur and earned acclaim on stages across the country. In 2015, the British Library acquired his remarkable archive, including his legendary diaries – kept faithfully for over 40 years – and around 2,000 letters that chart his extraordinary life and career from the age of 18 until his death in 1988. This centenary offers a wonderful opportunity to rediscover his wit, talent, and enduring legacy.
Expect to hear readings from Kenneth’s diaries, reflections on this connection to the local area and shared memories that bring his remarkable spirit to life.
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David Benson
David Benson an actor, writer and comedian who worked with Kenneth Williams.
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Fifty years ago, David Benson’s competition entry to the Jackanory Writing Competition was chosen and performed by Kenneth Williams. Twenty years later, he wrote and performed his solo show Think No Evil of Us: My Life with Kenneth Williams, an immediate hit on the Edinburgh Fringe. This led to a Nationwide tour and a West End run. Since then David has created many solo shows including the Amnesty International award-nominated Lockerbie: Unfinished Business; and Cato Street 1820 which was performed at the British Library. He has toured extensively with Jack Lane in the Dad’s Army Radio Show and played over one thousand performances in the National Theatre smash hit One Man, Two Guvnors.
Gyles Brandreth
Gyles Brandreth is a writer, broadcaster and former MP and Government Whip.
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His many books include the bestselling poetry anthology, Dancing by the Light of the Moon, and the international bestseller about spelling and punctuation, Have You Eaten Grandma? and most recently Somewhere a Boy and a Bear – A Biography of A A Milne and Winnie-the- Pooh. With Susie Dent, the lexicographer from Countdown, he co-hosts the award-winning podcast, Something Rhymes with Purple. Gyles presents Great Canal Journeys on Channel 4 with Dame Sheila Hancock and regularly appears on Celebrity Gogglebox with Dame Maureen Lipman.
Dame Sheila Hancock
Dame Sheila Hancock is one of Britain’s most acclaimed and best-loved actors, with a career spanning theatre, film, television and radio since the 1950s.
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She has starred in everything from The Rag Trade and Sweeney Todd to The Cherry Orchard at the National Theatre, and was the first woman to serve as Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s touring company. Her screen work ranges from Carry On Cleo to Edie, in which she undertook a real mountain climb for the title role. She is also a bestselling author of five books, including the award-winning memoir The Two of Us. Now in her nineties, she continues to write, contribute to Prospect magazine, and work across the arts.
Helen Melody
Helen Melody is Lead Curator, Contemporary Literary and Creative archives at the British Library.
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She looks after the archives of writers, poets, playwrights, actors and theatrical directors dating from 1950 to the present day. She first began working at the Library as the cataloguer of the Ted Hughes archive in 2008 and has held a wider curatorial role since 2009.
Concessions
There are a range of concessions available. These include discounts for British Library Members, Young Persons (16–25s), and visitors on Universal/Pension Credit and free entry for carers.
