John Rylands Library

John Rylands Library

John Rylands Library

Where is it – England, North West England

Who looks after it –  Educational establishment 

What is it –  College, School or Library, Free access 

When is it from – Victorian

The John Rylands Library holds the special collections of the University of Manchester’s library. The library was built by Enriqueta Rylands, the widow of wealthy industrialist John Rylands, after his death in 1888. It is a fantastic neo-Gothic building, like something from a sinister movie, but beautiful inside. It was designed by Basil Champneys (with help from Mrs Rylands) and opened to the public in 1900. One of its first acquisitions was the 40,000 volume Spencer Collection, which includes about 3,000 early printed books – including a Gutenberg Bible printed c1455. It also holds the personal papers of a number of famous people and writers, including Elizabeth Gaskell and John Wesley. The earliest piece of text in the library is a fragment of the Epic of Gilgamesh, the oldest known work of literature in the world, written on a clay tablet about 5,000 years ago. John Rylands Library has undergone various refurbishments. Although a research library, it is one of the most popular visitor attractions in Manchester.

 


Address

150 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3EH 

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