MJ Long


Mary Jane Long, Lady Wilson, OBE, known as MJ Long, was an American architect, lecturer and author, best known for her work as a principal architect partner on the British Library in London. She created a series of purpose-built studios for the artists Peter Blake, RB Kitaj, Paul Huxley and Frank Auerbach, later documenting these in a book. In partnership with Rolfe Kentish, she focused on designing museums, libraries and galleries, including the National Maritime Museum Cornwall, the Jewish Museum London in Camden Town and an extension to Pallant House Gallery.

Early and family life

Long was born in Summit, New Jersey. She attended high school in Montreal and later studied at Smith College before enrolling on a four-year architecture course at Yale School of Architecture, studying under Paul Rudolph. It was at Yale that she met Colin St John Wilson, and in 1965 joined his newly-formed architecture practice in London. The couple married in 1972. At Long's death she was survived by her two children and three grandchildren.