University of Manchester (1975-77), Library

Praise be to Dr Fred Ratcliffe, Librarian of the University, for giving me my first job when the market for university teaching and research positions was almost non-existent. I learnt how to classify and catalogue books in alien subjects like Medicine and English, as well as taking responsibility for Philosophy. I also learnt about classification principles, which stood me in good stead later on. Many of the best philosophers have been librarians at one time - Leibniz and Hume for example. It was a congenial and civilised atmosphere to work in, and proximity to the journals meant I was more up-to-date than I have ever been since. The John Rylands Library on Deansgate was an amazing Gormenghast-like relic, with antiquated practices and librarians, and DC electricity.