The Fitzroy Memorial Library stood for a century in Lewes as a mark of respect for a much-loved MP.

Henry Fitzroy represented Lewes in Parliament between 1837 and 1860 before dying when he was still in his prime.

Fitzroy started his political life as a Tory and was rejected by Lewes voters the first time he stood for election in 1835. Later he became a Whig.

He was described at the time as being of distinguished appearance, affable and courteous. He was also a good orator.

Fitzroy’s marriage to his wife Hannah was happy but he was saddened by the ill health of his son Arthur who died aged 15. A year later in 1859 he died aged 51.

His widow was originally a Rothschild and a member of what was then the richest family in the world.

In 1862 she bought a small plot of land off School Hill to build a library as a suitable memorial for him.

She chose the most eminent and fashionable architect of the day, Sir George Gilbert Scott, to design it.

Scott had previously been selected by Queen Victoria to design the Albert Memorial in London as a tribute to the Prince Consort.

He responded by producing plans for what has been described as one of the best small Victorian Gothic buildings in Britain.

The library was originally run privately but in 1897 it passed into public ownership in a ceremony designed to coincide with the then Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

It was both a lending and reference library with a remarkable range of books and papers for a town with a strong literary tradition.

Lewes celebrated in the way it knows best with processions and torches watched by almost the whole town.

But fashions change and even the Albert Memorial became unloved. There was also a different attitude towards libraries and the Fitzroy was perceived as being out of date.

A new library was built and the old one was put on the market in the expectation that it would be redeveloped.

But nothing happened and for years the building stood derelict with the roof destroyed so that it was open to the elements. Trees grew out of it and the handsome clock was stolen.

It would have mouldered away but for the intervention of the Franks family who undertook the extraordinary task of converting this ruin into a private house.

They were helped by the Friends Of Lewes in general and Elizabeth Howard in particular who wanted to save the building.

Much time and money was spent on the project but it was completed and the authorities recognised the effort by placing a plaque on the front which is still there today.

They also changed the street layout so that a pedestrian precinct was created between School Hill and the River Ouse, improving the setting of Fitzroy House.

It has also proved to be a popular place for Lewes people to meet, chat and stroll in the sunshine.

Now James Franks and the rest of the family have written the story of Fitzroy House – its rise, fall and rise again.

He ends the account by suggesting that the area around the house should be renamed Fitzroy Place.

  • Building And Saving Fitzroy Library, Lewes by James Franks (Pomegranate Press, £8.50)