John Rylands Library And Attached Railings, Gates And Lamp Standards`

The John Rylands Library, along with its attached railings, gates, and lamp standards, was constructed between 1890 and 1899 by Basil Champneys for Enriqueta Augustina Rylands as a memorial to her husband. A back extension was added in 1912, also by Champneys. The building is constructed of red sandstone, and is set at a right angle to the street, with further extensions to the rear. It is designed in the Decorated Gothic style, incorporating elements of the Arts and Crafts movement.

The building’s layout comprises a rectangular block flanked by two unequal wings, with an embattled parapet to the whole, and large octagonal lanterns above the wings. A set-back east window of the reading hall is positioned behind this, with square towers to either side. The central section displays elaborate Gothic decoration, including a two-centred arched portal with coupled doorways, a tall two-light window on each side, small canted oriels above the portal, intricate blind tracery, finely detailed carving, and open-work arcading in the battlements. The three-light east window of the hall features delicate reticulated tracery and shafts extending to a matching open-work parapet. The walls of the wings and towers are generally plain, with string courses featuring grotesque carvings. The wing to the left has transomed staircase windows with staggered sills at the first floor, and low segmental-headed windows below. The wing to the right has tall windows at ground floor and shorter windows above, with octagonal corner turrets and flying buttresses leading to the octagonal lanterns. The lanterns have transomed two-light windows and open-work battlements, mirroring those of the centre. The towers behind them have slender octagonal corner turrets and small two-light windows above their levels. The return sides are in a similar style.

Fine bronze forecourt railings with a central double gate are flanked by lamp standards, all executed in an Art Nouveau style.

The interior features a very ornate vaulted entrance hall and a winding vaulted staircase. The reading hall is designed to resemble a church, and incorporates traceried arcades, a rib-vaulted ceiling, panelled reading alcoves with oriel windows, statues of John and Mrs Rylands, and other elaborate decorative elements.

The library was built to house the theological library of John Rylands, a textile manufacturer and philanthropist. Subsequent acquisitions have augmented the collection, establishing the library as one of the finest in the country.