John+Rylands+Library

Yet another interesting building on Deensgate: John Rylands Library. It was founded in the memory of the late sir John Rylands by his widow. The library opened to the public in 1900. John Ryland was Manchester's first multi-millonaire. His fortune was created from his massive textile manufacturing concern - the largest of its kind in the United Kingdom. This library is an important landmark. As is the case for many other remnants of the past in Manchester, this building tells of the on-going urge to learn and explore. It also shows the obvious signs of the wealthy community which Manchester was during the industrial revolution. The building is typical victorian gothic with tall windows and everything pointing towards the sky. The collection includes a fine paper copy of the Gutenberg Bible and other examples of the earliest forms of European printing.

Back