Donovan Richnell was born in Bedford Park, London in 1911 and was educated at St. Paul's School and Corpus Christi, Cambridge. His war service included a posting to the Far East with the Royal Navy. He was successively; Sub-Librarian at the Royal Society of Medicine, 1946-1949; Deputy Librarian, London University Library, 1949-1960; Librarian, Reading University, 1960-1967; Director and Goldsmith's Librarian, London University Library, 1967-1974; Director General of the British Library Reference Division, 1974-1979.
From the guide to the Richnell, Donovan (1911-1994), c1922-c1991, (Senate House Library, University of London)