For those who set eyes on Deansgate’s John Rylands Library for the first time, ‘library’ might not be the first word that comes to mind. This masterpiece of Victorian Gothic architecture looks more like a castle or cathedral on the edge of the newly developed Spinningfields area. The library has now re-opened following its £16 million redevelopment. The new John Rylands Library combines its pink Cumbrian sandstone, 1890s architectural features and unique collection with 21st century user-access, state-of-the-art facilities, brand new exhibition areas, and superb reading & viewing spaces.
When John Rylands died in 1888, he was one of Manchester’s most successful industrialists with a personal fortune of £2.75million. The library was commissioned in 1890 by his wife Enriqueta Rylands in memory of her late husband. Architect Basil Champneys was given the job of designing the building (including the interiors and fittings) and delivered one of the finest public libraries in Britain. The library was one of the first with modern facilities like electricity and is home to one of the UK's greatest collections of books, manuscripts and archives
This world class collection includes the oldest known piece of the New Testament, the St John Fragment. Other treasures of the vast, varied collection include magnificent illuminated medieval manuscripts and a1476 William Caxton edition of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, thought to be the first book printed in England. There are also the papers of John and Charles Wesley, founders of Methodism. Since its refurbishment, many of the library’s priceless treasures are on display for the first time.