The John Rylands Library (inaugurated October 1899) is a collection of historic books and manuscripts in Manchester, England. In 1972, it merged with the library of the Victoria University of Manchester to form the John Rylands University Library of Manchester. Notably, the John Rylands Library holds the oldest extant New Testament document, Rylands Library Papyrus P52, the so-called St John's Fragment. 1899 (MDCCCXCIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Look up book in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... A manuscript (Latin manu scriptus, written by hand), strictly speaking, is any written document that is put down by hand, in contrast to being printed or reproduced some other way. ... This article is about the city in England. ... 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1972 calendar). ... The Victoria University of Manchester (VUM) was a large university in Manchester in England. ... The John Rylands University Library of Manchester (JRULM) is the University of Manchesters library and information service. ... See New Covenant for the concept translated as New Testament in the KJV. The New Testament, sometimes called the Greek Testament or Greek Scriptures, and, in recent times, also New Covenant, is the name given to the part of the Christian Bible that was written in the first centuries of... John Rylands Library Papyrus P52, recto Acquired by Bernard Greenfell in Egypt in 1920, this small papyrus is generally accepted to be the earliest extant copy of New Testament canonical writing. ...

History

The library was founded by Mrs Enriqueta Augustina Rylands in memory of her late husband, John Rylands. In 1890, having purchased a site on Deansgate at the heart of Manchester city centre, she commissioned a design from architect Sir Basil Champneys. Mrs Rylands had originally intended the library as a principally theological collection and the building, a very fine example of Victorian Gothic, has much of the appearance of a church. The core of the library was formed around the collection of 40,000 rare books assembled by George John Spencer, which Mrs Rylands purchased in 1892. The library was finally opened to readers on January 1, 1900. Enriqueta Augustina Rylands (May 31, 1843 - February 4, 1908) was the founder of the John Rylands Library, Manchester. ... John Rylands (February 7, 1801 - December 11, 1888) was a British weaver and entrepreneur. ... 1890 (MDCCCXC) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar). ... Architect at his drawing board, 1893 An architect is a person involved in the planning, designing and oversight of a buildings construction. ... Basil Champneys (1842-1935) Champneys was the architect for Newnham College, Cambridge, Manchesters John Rylands Library and Oriel College, Oxfords Rhodes Building. ... Theology is reasoned discourse concerning God (Greek θεος, theos, God, + λογος, logos, word or reason). It can also refer to the study of other religious topics. ... See also Gothic art. ... A church building (or simply church) is a building used in Christian worship. ... The Right Honourable Sir George John Spencer, 2nd Earl Spencer KG PC FRS FSA (1 September 1758–10 November 1834) was a Whig politician of the late 18th and early 19th century. ... 1892 (MDCCCXCII) was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... January 1 is the first day of the calendar year in both the Julian and Gregorian calendars. ... 1900 (MCM) was an exceptional common year starting on Monday. ...

The library became a Grade I listed building on January 25, 1952. [1] Buckingham Palace, a Grade I listed building. ... January 25 is the 25th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1952 (MCMLII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ...

List of librarians

• Edward Gordon Duff, (1899-1900), joint Librarian with Henry Guppy until 1900
• Henry Guppy, (1899-1948)

1899 (MDCCCXCIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... 1900 (MCM) was an exceptional common year starting on Monday. ... 1899 (MDCCCXCIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... 1948 (MCMXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1948 calendar). ...

External links

• The University of Manchester
• The John Rylands University Library
• The John Rylands University Library - Special Collections Division
• Plan of the library