From books to dinosaurs: a look at the legacy of learning inspired by 19th Century industrialist

24 February 2025

Throughout history there have been people and figures who have impacted culture and learning in Coventry.

While we celebrate iconic figures such as Lady Godiva, The Specials, Sir Frank Whittle, Mo Mowlam, Philip Larkin and Delia Derbyshire there is one historical individual who has been having a quiet impact on the city’s inhabitants for over 100 years.

There are no statues, no city centre plaques, and lots of people might not even be familiar with his name. But his subtle influence is there, and was renewed as recently as 2023 with the arrival in the city of a plaster cast of the world famous Diplodocus carnegii - better known as Dippy, the Nation’s Favourite Dinosaur.

This month the cast celebrates two years at its temporary home in the atrium of Coventry’s Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, where it is on loan from London’s Natural History Museum. We’ve taken the opportunity to look back on a man whose philanthropy and passion for learning have had a profound impact across generations.

Dippy’s full title Dippy carnegii, is a subtle hint to the individual mentioned above. Andrew Carnegie was a Scottish-American industrialist who made his money during the 1800s.

Having come from humble roots, Carnegie became one of the richest people alive, and used his vast wealth to invest in learning and education across the United States and Europe.

Dippy’s journey from the Natural History Museum to Coventry wouldn’t have been possible without him. A firm believer in the power of knowledge, Carnegie dedicated much of his later life to funding institutions that would provide learning opportunities for all. His generosity helped create the cast of the original Diplodocus skeleton, replicas of which were then shared around the world, ensuring people outside of elite academic circles could witness a piece of prehistoric history.

But it wasn’t just dinosaurs and museums. Carneigie also donated millions to setting up libraries, having put his success down to a love of reading in his own local library as a child. He saw libraries as ‘the cradle of democracy,’ believing access to books and learning was the key to self-improvement. Through his philanthropy, he funded the construction of thousands of libraries worldwide - including three in Coventry. The city’s Carnegie Library on Earlsdon Avenue, still standing today, is a testament to his vision of education as a lifelong pursuit open to everyone. (The photos included are of Mr Carnegie attending the opening of Earlsdon Library in 1913.)

Now, with Dippy staying just a short distance from one of these historic libraries, it’s a reminder of how Carnegie’s legacy continues to shape the way we learn. Museums and libraries serve different purposes, yet both share a common goal: to spark curiosity, to educate, and to ensure knowledge is accessible to all.

While Dippy’s stay in Coventry is currently set to last until at least 2026, the values Carnegie championed - discovery, education, and opportunity, remain as relevant today as they were more than a century ago.