The magnificent neo-gothic John Rylands Library on Deansgate, Manchester, was the venue for a visit by 20 members of SPAG. The library (now officially known as John Rylands Research Institute and Library) is celebrating its 125^th anniversary of opening, and had some of its most treasured items on display.

We learned that the library was built by Enriqueta Rylands as a memorial to her late husband, John Rylands, who had become the owner of the largest textile manufacturing concern in Britain, and Manchester’s first multi-millionaire. Enriqueta inherited his vast wealth, overnight becoming one of the richest women in Britain – quite a journey for someone who had been born in Cuba!

 

 

 

The library has an almost cathedral-like appearance, yet was always designed to be a secular building, celebrating and bringing together works by the best minds in the fields of religion, the arts, and science. Though Enriqueta Ryland’s initial intention had been to start a theological library, her purchase of others’ private libraries meant that the library acquired an extraordinary breadth of content, with various world-class collections acquired over the years.

At the end of the tour, we were able to see some of the best and rarest items held by the John Rylands Research institute and Library, including: the “Rylands Fragment” – the earliest known (early 2^nd century) fragment of the New Testament, from St John’s Gospel; a Gutenberg Bible printed in 1455; a Shakespeare first folio; an early printed book by William Caxton from 1483; and a copy of the “Peterloo Relief Book”, detailing financial relief given to victims of the Peterloo Massacre (see below).

Anyone wishing to re-visit the John Rylands Library on Deansgate should be aware that the items on display may change at any time for conservation reasons, and are advised to check opening times, as it is not open every day of the week. However, entry is free!

 

The Peterloo Relief Book” and indeed the John Rylands Library vast “Peterloo Collection” can be accessed here:

https://www.digitalcollections.manchester.ac.uk/view/MS-ENGLISH-00172/122