The John Rylands Library (Manchester) was founded by Henrietta Rylands (1843-1908) in memory of her husband, John Rylands (1801-1888). In 1889, Henrietta commissioned Basil Champneys to design a library, which opened in 1900. Henrietta herself personally acquired numerous collections, such as those of the Earl Spencer and the Earl of Crawford, with the aim of enriching the institution's holdings. In 1972, the John Rylands Library and Manchester University Library merged, becoming the John Rylands University Library of Manchester.
Bibliography
FARNIE, Douglas A. (1898): "Enriqueta Augustina Rylands, (1843-1908), Founder of the John Rylands Library", vol. 71, nº 2, Bulletin of John Rylands University Library Manchester.