Manchester Photo Gallery - John Rylands Library

The John Rylands Library was commissioned in 1890 by Enriqueta Rylands in memory of her successful industrialist husband. John was a textile manufacturer who was dubbed the city's first multi-millionaire. When he passed away, Enriqueta was believed to have inherited most of his wealth, estimated at over 290 million pounds in today's money. The neo-Gothic building took 10 years to build and opened in 1900 with detailed stonework, stained glass windows, and narrow corridors. It became part of the University of Manchester in 1972. The entrance is in a modern building next door, then you climb up the stairs to begin exploring the adjacent historic library. On exhibition is "Cottonopolis: The Origins of Global Manchester", which outlines the city's role as a manufacturing powerhouse during the 18th century, specifically around the cotton industry. It includes letters, factory plans, and ledgers from the city's cotton mills. Heading upstairs, there is another huge impressive reading room with exhibits along the middle cabinets.