For those who are unfamiliar with Deansgate’s The John Rylands Research Institute and Library, the word “library” may not be the first word that springs to mind when they first lay eyes on it. This marvel of Victorian Gothic architecture is more akin to a castle or a cathedral than a house of worship.
By the time John Rylands passed away in 1888, he had accumulated a personal fortune of £2.75 million and was considered one of Manchester’s most successful entrepreneurs. The library was built in remembrance of his late spouse by his widow, Enriqueta Rylands, who donated the funds in 1890.
The St John Fragment, which is the oldest known portion of the New Testament, is housed in this world-renowned collection. Beautifully illuminated ancient manuscripts and a 1476 William Caxton edition of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales are just a few of the many gems in the large and diverse collection.
