John Rylands Research Institute and Library
@thejohnrylands.bsky.social
Promoting world-leading research using the unique special collections of The University of Manchester Library.
Open to visitors Wednesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm
Open to visitors Wednesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm
Big book install today...
This is James John Audubon’s Birds of America, with life-sized illustrations. Supported by a bespoke cradle, the book is open showing the Great Blue Heron.
Find this book in the Collections Gallery. Open Wednesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm. Free entry.
This is James John Audubon’s Birds of America, with life-sized illustrations. Supported by a bespoke cradle, the book is open showing the Great Blue Heron.
Find this book in the Collections Gallery. Open Wednesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm. Free entry.
November 11, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Big book install today...
This is James John Audubon’s Birds of America, with life-sized illustrations. Supported by a bespoke cradle, the book is open showing the Great Blue Heron.
Find this book in the Collections Gallery. Open Wednesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm. Free entry.
This is James John Audubon’s Birds of America, with life-sized illustrations. Supported by a bespoke cradle, the book is open showing the Great Blue Heron.
Find this book in the Collections Gallery. Open Wednesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm. Free entry.
Last few days to visit The Secret Public. The exhibition explores the influence of LGBTQ performers, artists and activists on mainstream pop culture. 🏳️🌈
Free entry. Visit Wednesday-Saturday 10am-5pm. Open until Saturday 15 November 2025.
📓Gay Power, 1970 with cover photo by Diana Davies
Free entry. Visit Wednesday-Saturday 10am-5pm. Open until Saturday 15 November 2025.
📓Gay Power, 1970 with cover photo by Diana Davies
November 7, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Last few days to visit The Secret Public. The exhibition explores the influence of LGBTQ performers, artists and activists on mainstream pop culture. 🏳️🌈
Free entry. Visit Wednesday-Saturday 10am-5pm. Open until Saturday 15 November 2025.
📓Gay Power, 1970 with cover photo by Diana Davies
Free entry. Visit Wednesday-Saturday 10am-5pm. Open until Saturday 15 November 2025.
📓Gay Power, 1970 with cover photo by Diana Davies
We’re making some changes in the Collections Gallery. Over the next few weeks, you’ll see new books, manuscripts and archives on display.
The gallery will be open as usual Wednesday-Saturday.
🗺️First to install today is this colourful Japanese map showing the city of Edo from 1860.
The gallery will be open as usual Wednesday-Saturday.
🗺️First to install today is this colourful Japanese map showing the city of Edo from 1860.
November 3, 2025 at 10:40 AM
We’re making some changes in the Collections Gallery. Over the next few weeks, you’ll see new books, manuscripts and archives on display.
The gallery will be open as usual Wednesday-Saturday.
🗺️First to install today is this colourful Japanese map showing the city of Edo from 1860.
The gallery will be open as usual Wednesday-Saturday.
🗺️First to install today is this colourful Japanese map showing the city of Edo from 1860.
What was in the news on 30 October 1819? Prices from Liverpool Corn Exchange, a notice from a disgruntled husband...
The Manchester Observer (1818-1822) was a radical newspaper. Explore digitised editions on Manchester Digital Collections: https://ow.ly/zujU50XimeP
The Manchester Observer (1818-1822) was a radical newspaper. Explore digitised editions on Manchester Digital Collections: https://ow.ly/zujU50XimeP
October 30, 2025 at 9:35 AM
What was in the news on 30 October 1819? Prices from Liverpool Corn Exchange, a notice from a disgruntled husband...
The Manchester Observer (1818-1822) was a radical newspaper. Explore digitised editions on Manchester Digital Collections: https://ow.ly/zujU50XimeP
The Manchester Observer (1818-1822) was a radical newspaper. Explore digitised editions on Manchester Digital Collections: https://ow.ly/zujU50XimeP
Forget Christmas gifts, Queen Elizabeth I gave New Year gifts.
This long parchment roll lists the gifts given and received in 1559.
Among the gifts received was a velvet-bound book with silver clasps.
See this item in the Collections Gallery. Visit Wednesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm. Free entry.
This long parchment roll lists the gifts given and received in 1559.
Among the gifts received was a velvet-bound book with silver clasps.
See this item in the Collections Gallery. Visit Wednesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm. Free entry.
October 28, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Forget Christmas gifts, Queen Elizabeth I gave New Year gifts.
This long parchment roll lists the gifts given and received in 1559.
Among the gifts received was a velvet-bound book with silver clasps.
See this item in the Collections Gallery. Visit Wednesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm. Free entry.
This long parchment roll lists the gifts given and received in 1559.
Among the gifts received was a velvet-bound book with silver clasps.
See this item in the Collections Gallery. Visit Wednesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm. Free entry.
In our latest blog, Dr Naomi Baker writes about Rose Thurgood’s conversion narrative from 1636-7, which gives us a rare insight into religious women’s lives and beliefs in the decades before the English Civil War.
Blog: https://ow.ly/Pt7i50Xcva4
Dr Baker's latest book: https://ow.ly/ltyT50Xcvnm
Blog: https://ow.ly/Pt7i50Xcva4
Dr Baker's latest book: https://ow.ly/ltyT50Xcvnm
October 17, 2025 at 9:10 AM
In our latest blog, Dr Naomi Baker writes about Rose Thurgood’s conversion narrative from 1636-7, which gives us a rare insight into religious women’s lives and beliefs in the decades before the English Civil War.
Blog: https://ow.ly/Pt7i50Xcva4
Dr Baker's latest book: https://ow.ly/ltyT50Xcvnm
Blog: https://ow.ly/Pt7i50Xcva4
Dr Baker's latest book: https://ow.ly/ltyT50Xcvnm
Dr Zoe Screti and Dr Gillian Pink from the Voltaire Foundation have unearthed an intriguing mystery relating to three Voltaire letters - one that requires analysing the handwriting, folding techniques, and seals of several letters to investigate.
Blog: https://ow.ly/2uVq50XaTRA
Blog: https://ow.ly/2uVq50XaTRA
October 14, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Dr Zoe Screti and Dr Gillian Pink from the Voltaire Foundation have unearthed an intriguing mystery relating to three Voltaire letters - one that requires analysing the handwriting, folding techniques, and seals of several letters to investigate.
Blog: https://ow.ly/2uVq50XaTRA
Blog: https://ow.ly/2uVq50XaTRA
🐝 Knowledge. Wisdom. Humanity. 🐝
The new term is well underway, and we are here to support you in your studies! 📖
Get started with our Special Collections here: https://www.library.manchester.ac.uk/rylands/special-collections/using-the-reading-rooms/
The new term is well underway, and we are here to support you in your studies! 📖
Get started with our Special Collections here: https://www.library.manchester.ac.uk/rylands/special-collections/using-the-reading-rooms/
October 13, 2025 at 8:14 AM
🐝 Knowledge. Wisdom. Humanity. 🐝
The new term is well underway, and we are here to support you in your studies! 📖
Get started with our Special Collections here: https://www.library.manchester.ac.uk/rylands/special-collections/using-the-reading-rooms/
The new term is well underway, and we are here to support you in your studies! 📖
Get started with our Special Collections here: https://www.library.manchester.ac.uk/rylands/special-collections/using-the-reading-rooms/
Today is #WorldMentalHealthDay, reminding us of a pertinent blog post from 2022 by Dr Anna Jamieson about the mental health of women in 18th- and 19th-century England.
Read the blog here: https://ow.ly/2wvr50X9MYH
📸 Louisa Murray, a.k.a. Lady Stormont, by John Raphael Smith
Read the blog here: https://ow.ly/2wvr50X9MYH
📸 Louisa Murray, a.k.a. Lady Stormont, by John Raphael Smith
October 10, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Today is #WorldMentalHealthDay, reminding us of a pertinent blog post from 2022 by Dr Anna Jamieson about the mental health of women in 18th- and 19th-century England.
Read the blog here: https://ow.ly/2wvr50X9MYH
📸 Louisa Murray, a.k.a. Lady Stormont, by John Raphael Smith
Read the blog here: https://ow.ly/2wvr50X9MYH
📸 Louisa Murray, a.k.a. Lady Stormont, by John Raphael Smith
Come to our annual Poetry Reading delivered by Mimi Khalvati. Her poetry is inspired by everything from her Persian background to travels in the Mediterranean.
📅Thursday 23 October, 7.00pm
🎟️Free, book here: https://manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk/events/mimi-khalvati-rylands-poetry-reading
📅Thursday 23 October, 7.00pm
🎟️Free, book here: https://manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk/events/mimi-khalvati-rylands-poetry-reading
October 9, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Come to our annual Poetry Reading delivered by Mimi Khalvati. Her poetry is inspired by everything from her Persian background to travels in the Mediterranean.
📅Thursday 23 October, 7.00pm
🎟️Free, book here: https://manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk/events/mimi-khalvati-rylands-poetry-reading
📅Thursday 23 October, 7.00pm
🎟️Free, book here: https://manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk/events/mimi-khalvati-rylands-poetry-reading
In our latest blog, ECR Fellow Arianna Tozzi delves into a lesser-explored aspect of Manchester’s cotton archives to investigate how imperial botanists helped advance agricultural research that supported the spread of plantation crops like cotton in 19thC Britain.
Blog: https://ow.ly/hGLK50X642P
Blog: https://ow.ly/hGLK50X642P
October 3, 2025 at 10:37 AM
In our latest blog, ECR Fellow Arianna Tozzi delves into a lesser-explored aspect of Manchester’s cotton archives to investigate how imperial botanists helped advance agricultural research that supported the spread of plantation crops like cotton in 19thC Britain.
Blog: https://ow.ly/hGLK50X642P
Blog: https://ow.ly/hGLK50X642P
Sci-fi and Satire! : In this week's blog post, Early Career Fellow at the John Rylands (2024-2025) @roseannakettle.bsky.social
writes about William Gifford's fascinating satirical work on the topic of gaslight technology in Georgian London.
Blog: ow.ly/Ln1850X2H0X
writes about William Gifford's fascinating satirical work on the topic of gaslight technology in Georgian London.
Blog: ow.ly/Ln1850X2H0X
September 26, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Sci-fi and Satire! : In this week's blog post, Early Career Fellow at the John Rylands (2024-2025) @roseannakettle.bsky.social
writes about William Gifford's fascinating satirical work on the topic of gaslight technology in Georgian London.
Blog: ow.ly/Ln1850X2H0X
writes about William Gifford's fascinating satirical work on the topic of gaslight technology in Georgian London.
Blog: ow.ly/Ln1850X2H0X
In our latest blog, senior photographer Tony Richards explains how the Imaging Team at the Rylands created a 3D representation of Cuneiform 931 (a tablet from the Old Babylonian period) for an exhibition by the @wellcomecollection.bsky.social
in London. Blog: ow.ly/zS7B50WVCfk
in London. Blog: ow.ly/zS7B50WVCfk
September 12, 2025 at 2:09 PM
In our latest blog, senior photographer Tony Richards explains how the Imaging Team at the Rylands created a 3D representation of Cuneiform 931 (a tablet from the Old Babylonian period) for an exhibition by the @wellcomecollection.bsky.social
in London. Blog: ow.ly/zS7B50WVCfk
in London. Blog: ow.ly/zS7B50WVCfk
We have just entered our third century of educating students.
The social lives, fashions & cultures of today's students have changed over the past 200 years. Their curiosity, drive & desire to make the world a better place has not. Welcome to Manchester.
medium.com/special-coll...
The social lives, fashions & cultures of today's students have changed over the past 200 years. Their curiosity, drive & desire to make the world a better place has not. Welcome to Manchester.
medium.com/special-coll...
September 12, 2025 at 8:35 AM
We have just entered our third century of educating students.
The social lives, fashions & cultures of today's students have changed over the past 200 years. Their curiosity, drive & desire to make the world a better place has not. Welcome to Manchester.
medium.com/special-coll...
The social lives, fashions & cultures of today's students have changed over the past 200 years. Their curiosity, drive & desire to make the world a better place has not. Welcome to Manchester.
medium.com/special-coll...
The John Rylands Library will be closed to the public for the rest of the day due to flooding. Apologies for any inconvenience.
September 11, 2025 at 1:31 PM
The John Rylands Library will be closed to the public for the rest of the day due to flooding. Apologies for any inconvenience.
Anti-colonialism. A decent living. Democracy. Anti-racism. Women's suffrage.
For centuries, Manchester has been at the forefront of campaigns for social and political reform.
medium.com/special-coll...
For centuries, Manchester has been at the forefront of campaigns for social and political reform.
medium.com/special-coll...
September 11, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Anti-colonialism. A decent living. Democracy. Anti-racism. Women's suffrage.
For centuries, Manchester has been at the forefront of campaigns for social and political reform.
medium.com/special-coll...
For centuries, Manchester has been at the forefront of campaigns for social and political reform.
medium.com/special-coll...
In the nineteenth century, Manchester's growth was fuelled by fortunes made in the cotton trade. Cotton merchants and manufacturers profited from the forced labour of enslaved people. Our own connections to cotton are explored here by Dr Natalie Zacek:
rylandscollections.com/2020/09/07/r...
rylandscollections.com/2020/09/07/r...
September 10, 2025 at 6:46 AM
In the nineteenth century, Manchester's growth was fuelled by fortunes made in the cotton trade. Cotton merchants and manufacturers profited from the forced labour of enslaved people. Our own connections to cotton are explored here by Dr Natalie Zacek:
rylandscollections.com/2020/09/07/r...
rylandscollections.com/2020/09/07/r...
Do you know how many amazing people have lived and worked in Manchester? Take a look at our blog, 'The men and women who shaped the city', and we guarantee there will be some stories you've never heard of.
medium.com/special-coll...
medium.com/special-coll...
September 9, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Do you know how many amazing people have lived and worked in Manchester? Take a look at our blog, 'The men and women who shaped the city', and we guarantee there will be some stories you've never heard of.
medium.com/special-coll...
medium.com/special-coll...
You're coming to Manchester to study and you want to know more about the city's history? We've got you covered.
tldr; Manchester was the world's first industrial city, and you'll see that legacy all around you as you explore.
medium.com/special-coll...
tldr; Manchester was the world's first industrial city, and you'll see that legacy all around you as you explore.
medium.com/special-coll...
September 8, 2025 at 8:23 AM
You're coming to Manchester to study and you want to know more about the city's history? We've got you covered.
tldr; Manchester was the world's first industrial city, and you'll see that legacy all around you as you explore.
medium.com/special-coll...
tldr; Manchester was the world's first industrial city, and you'll see that legacy all around you as you explore.
medium.com/special-coll...
Come Out Tonight: queer 90s nightlife, a new exhibition in Spinningfields to mark Pride 2025 in collaboration with photographers Stuart Linden Rhodes and Jon Shard.
Explore the energy and growth of the queer scene of the early 1990s. If you’re in Manchester for Pride, stop by and take a look. 🏳️🌈
Explore the energy and growth of the queer scene of the early 1990s. If you’re in Manchester for Pride, stop by and take a look. 🏳️🌈
August 22, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Come Out Tonight: queer 90s nightlife, a new exhibition in Spinningfields to mark Pride 2025 in collaboration with photographers Stuart Linden Rhodes and Jon Shard.
Explore the energy and growth of the queer scene of the early 1990s. If you’re in Manchester for Pride, stop by and take a look. 🏳️🌈
Explore the energy and growth of the queer scene of the early 1990s. If you’re in Manchester for Pride, stop by and take a look. 🏳️🌈
🏳️🌈What’s on for Pride this week? 🏳️⚧️
👀Collection Encounter: The Secret Public, Friday 22 August, 10.40-11.50am.
Uncover Manchester’s queer culture, pop music and nightlife through collections featuring Buzzcocks, the Haçienda and City Life magazine.
📷Flesh, The Haçienda, Manchester, 1990s, Jon Shard
👀Collection Encounter: The Secret Public, Friday 22 August, 10.40-11.50am.
Uncover Manchester’s queer culture, pop music and nightlife through collections featuring Buzzcocks, the Haçienda and City Life magazine.
📷Flesh, The Haçienda, Manchester, 1990s, Jon Shard
August 19, 2025 at 3:10 PM
🏳️🌈What’s on for Pride this week? 🏳️⚧️
👀Collection Encounter: The Secret Public, Friday 22 August, 10.40-11.50am.
Uncover Manchester’s queer culture, pop music and nightlife through collections featuring Buzzcocks, the Haçienda and City Life magazine.
📷Flesh, The Haçienda, Manchester, 1990s, Jon Shard
👀Collection Encounter: The Secret Public, Friday 22 August, 10.40-11.50am.
Uncover Manchester’s queer culture, pop music and nightlife through collections featuring Buzzcocks, the Haçienda and City Life magazine.
📷Flesh, The Haçienda, Manchester, 1990s, Jon Shard
US Fellowships available for researchers from the University of Manchester, to John W. Kluge Center, Library of Congress and Huntington Library.
For guidance and application details follow this link: www.library.manchester.ac.uk/rylands/rese...
For guidance and application details follow this link: www.library.manchester.ac.uk/rylands/rese...
August 13, 2025 at 2:43 PM
US Fellowships available for researchers from the University of Manchester, to John W. Kluge Center, Library of Congress and Huntington Library.
For guidance and application details follow this link: www.library.manchester.ac.uk/rylands/rese...
For guidance and application details follow this link: www.library.manchester.ac.uk/rylands/rese...
⚠️ You've only got a few more weeks left! ⚠️
The Perspectivists, featuring beautiful architectural watercolours from our University Heritage Collection, is running at the Modernist Society until 30th August. Don't miss out!
the-modernist.org/blogs/news/t...
The Perspectivists, featuring beautiful architectural watercolours from our University Heritage Collection, is running at the Modernist Society until 30th August. Don't miss out!
the-modernist.org/blogs/news/t...
August 11, 2025 at 7:33 AM
⚠️ You've only got a few more weeks left! ⚠️
The Perspectivists, featuring beautiful architectural watercolours from our University Heritage Collection, is running at the Modernist Society until 30th August. Don't miss out!
the-modernist.org/blogs/news/t...
The Perspectivists, featuring beautiful architectural watercolours from our University Heritage Collection, is running at the Modernist Society until 30th August. Don't miss out!
the-modernist.org/blogs/news/t...
"I've also created a digital exhibition on extra-illustrated early modern books".
Explore Hannah's exhibition here: ow.ly/VkF850WpQH5
Explore Hannah's exhibition here: ow.ly/VkF850WpQH5
August 1, 2025 at 8:04 AM
"I've also created a digital exhibition on extra-illustrated early modern books".
Explore Hannah's exhibition here: ow.ly/VkF850WpQH5
Explore Hannah's exhibition here: ow.ly/VkF850WpQH5
Dr. Hannah Yip is Leverhulme Early Career Fellow:
"I specialise in book history and the cultural lives of English clergymen. With @benltjackson.bsky.social , I am editing Clerical Lives in England and Wales, c.1600-1800 for @manchesterup.bsky.social
"I specialise in book history and the cultural lives of English clergymen. With @benltjackson.bsky.social , I am editing Clerical Lives in England and Wales, c.1600-1800 for @manchesterup.bsky.social
August 1, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Dr. Hannah Yip is Leverhulme Early Career Fellow:
"I specialise in book history and the cultural lives of English clergymen. With @benltjackson.bsky.social , I am editing Clerical Lives in England and Wales, c.1600-1800 for @manchesterup.bsky.social
"I specialise in book history and the cultural lives of English clergymen. With @benltjackson.bsky.social , I am editing Clerical Lives in England and Wales, c.1600-1800 for @manchesterup.bsky.social