Imagine, if you will, Enriqueta Rylands’ determination to create a lasting tribute to her late husband. Right here on Deansgate stands the John Rylands Library a testament to both love and the pursuit of knowledge.
The John Rylands Library is not just a repository of books. It is a symbol of Manchester’s Victorian grandeur. Its neo-Gothic architecture is more akin to a castle or cathedral than a typical library.
Enriqueta Rylands commissioned Basil Champneys to design this magnificent structure in 1889. She wanted it to resemble an Oxford college library but on a grander scale. Construction began in 1890 and the library opened to the public on 1 January 1900. It quickly became a beacon of learning and culture.
The library’s architecture is striking. The exterior is made of dark red Barbary stone from Penrith. Champneys believed it would withstand Manchester’s industrial atmosphere. Inside, the delicate Shawk stone creates a sense of peace. The building has a crypt and two unequal storeys giving the impression of three.
Step inside the John Rylands Library. You will find the main reading room. It sits 30 feet above the ground far from the noise of the city. Oriel windows and clerestory windows fill the space with light. Stained glass portraits of great thinkers adorn the walls. Statues of John and Enriqueta Rylands watch over the room.
Electric lighting was a modern marvel when the library opened. The John Rylands Library generated its own power until 1950. An advanced ventilation system kept the air clean protecting the precious books.
The John Rylands Library houses an extraordinary collection of rare books and manuscripts. These include medieval illuminated manuscripts and early European printing. A Gutenberg Bible is among the treasures. The Rylands Library Papyrus P52 is the earliest known fragment of the New Testament. The library also holds personal papers of Elizabeth Gaskell and John Dalton.
Enriqueta Rylands purchased the Althorp Library from Earl Spencer in 1892. This acquisition formed the core of the John Rylands Library’s collection. She later acquired manuscripts from the Bibliotheca Lindesiana. These acquisitions established the library as a major research center.
The John Rylands Library joined with the Manchester University Library in 1972. This merger created the John Rylands University Library of Manchester. Special collections from both libraries were consolidated in the Deansgate building.
Over the years the library has undergone several extensions and renovations. A major project completed in 2007 added a pitched roof. This fulfilled Champneys’ original design.
Today, the John Rylands Library continues to be a center for research and learning. The John Rylands Research Institute supports innovative projects. The library’s collections are open to researchers and visitors from around the world.
As you leave the John Rylands Library remember Enriqueta Rylands’ vision. She created a place where knowledge is treasured. The library stands as a testament to her generosity and the enduring power of the written word.