The International Anthony Burgess Foundation

An arts centre and live performance venue residing in the ground floor and basement of Chorlton Mill, The International Anthony Burgess Foundation’s purpose is to encourage and support public and scholarly interest in the life of Burgess, one of Manchester’s most influential cultural figures.

The Foundation is home to an extensive library, archive and study centre containing Burgess’ books, music (although he is much better known as an author, he composed over 250 musical works) and papers. The bookshop and cafe contain rare editions of his works, and the author’s furniture and musical instruments can be seen throughout the building.

Its exhibition and performance space, The Engine House, hosts events as diverse as conferences, workshops and film screenings, as well as showcasing new work by writers, artists and musicians.

2017 marks what would have been Burgess’ 100th birthday, and The Foundation has arranged an extensive schedule of public events, conferences and research projects. One such initiative is The Anthony Burgess Memories Project, an attempt to collate recollections of the man by anyone who knew or met him, through the mediums of words, photographs, music and audio recordings.

The Foundation is an independent charity established in 2003 by Liana Burgess, the writer’s late wife.