@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
In our latest blog, visiting researcher Dr JosΓ© Γlvarez reflects on his three month stay at the John Rylands Research Institute and Library where he explored the life of social reformer Robert Owen (1771-1858).
Read the full blog here: rylandscollections.com/2025/11/14/a...
Big book install today...
This is James John Audubonβs 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.
In our latest Frankland family archive blog, we explore Grace Franklandβs pioneering work as a bacteriologist - she wrote extensively for both academic and popular audiences, advocating for public understanding of microbes in everyday life.
Blog: ow.ly/IQz650XolqQ
Last few days to visit The Secret Public. The exhibition explores the influence of LGBTQ performers, artists and activists on mainstream pop culture. π³οΈβπ
Free entry. Visit Wednesday-Saturday 10am-5pm. Open until Saturday 15 November 2025.
πGay Power, 1970 with cover photo by Diana Davies
Image showing the corner of a colourful map with a pair of hands using a small level to check the edge is straight.
Weβre making some changes in the Collections Gallery. Over the next few weeks, youβll see new books, manuscripts and archives on display.
The gallery will be open as usual Wednesday-Saturday.
πΊοΈFirst to install today is this colourful Japanese map showing the city of Edo from 1860.
Our final blog post celebrating The Bulletin of
@thejohnrylands.bsky.social going #OpenAccess is out!
This week, Medievalist Dr Ingrid Rembold highlights issue 99:2, with articles on Lorenzo Opimo and the challenges of printing Machiavelli's work.
Read the blog postπ
Front page of the Manchester Observer.
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
Parchment roll with handwritten text. Elizabeth I signature is visible at the top.
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.
The Rylands Lecture with Alberto Manguel
Thursday 13 November, 6-7.45pm
Free, book here:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-ryland...
Upcoming events at The Rylandsβ¦
You Ought to Know- Reclaiming Black British Music His and Herstories
Thursday 6 November 20205, 6-7.30pm
Free, book here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/you-ought-...
Last few places left at this great event.
Book here: shorturl.at/xWXYc
In our latest blog, Dr Naomi Baker writes about Rose Thurgoodβs conversion narrative from 1636-7, which gives us a rare insight into religious womenβs 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
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
Photograph of the neo-gothic Whitworth Arch, illuminated, from Oxford Road. Above the arch is a sign saying 'University of Manchester'.
Photograph of the Old Quadrangle, illuminated, with trees and other landscaping. Beyer building covered in red ivy in the background.
Photograph of the neo-gothic John Owens building, illuminated, with the leaves of a tree in the foreground.
Photograph of the Main Library, illuminated from within, with planters outside.
π Knowledge. Wisdom. Humanity. π
The new term is well underway, and we are here to support you in your studies! π
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
πΈ 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.
π
Thursday 23 October, 7.00pm
ποΈFree, book here: https://manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk/events/mimi-khalvati-rylands-poetry-reading
Looks like a great event over at Manchester Central Library.
π°ποΈFeaturing material from @wcmlibrary.bsky.social and @aiucentre.bsky.social
@aritozzi.bsky.social
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In our latest blog, ECR Fellow Arianna Tozzi delves into a lesser-explored aspect of Manchesterβs 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
Thursday 9 October, 5.30pm celebrate the 50th anniversary of LGBT Foundation
πΆπ§πWeβre creating a playlist so bring your vinyl and CDs for our DJ to spin. See collections from the Rylands and the Foundation.
Book free tickets here: https://ow.ly/qz6650X3Gfm
"A Peep at the Gas-lights in Pall Mall", a humorous caricature of reactions to the installation of the new invention of gas-burning street lighting on Pall-Mall, London (Engraved by Thomas Rowlandson in 1809 after a drawing by George M. Woodward).
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
π°Love local papers? Join this online event...
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In his latest blog post on the Frankland Family Archive, John Rylands archivist James Peters talks about Sir Edward Frankland's time analysing London waters, and how he indirectly paved the way for the public control of Londonβs water.
Blog: ow.ly/9n3k50WYNVG
Great to see our founder Enriqueta Rylands getting a bit of attention... www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
14.09.2025 13:29 β π 11 π 6 π¬ 0 π 0Joint exhibition with www.stuartlindenrhodes.com and @jonshard on until October 5th at Manchester Spinningfields. Some the photography courtesy of @universityofmanchester @thejohnrylands.bsky.social
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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
Female collectors, slightly out of focus photograph showing women in black tights and striped pyjama tops collecting for Rag week. University Photographic Collection, 1960-69.
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 John Rylands Library will be closed to the public for the rest of the day due to flooding. Apologies for any inconvenience.
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Peterloo Handkerchief, 2019 by Mancsy Images relating to Peterloo including starving people, magistrate snakes, demonstrators attacked by yeomanry and slogans such as 'we are the many, they are the few' and 'many have fallen protecting our rights'.
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...
