Rylands Manuscripts

This material is held atBodleian Library, University of Oxford

  • Reference
    • GB 161 MSS. Rylands b. 1-11, c. 1-30, c. 32-8, c. 40-69, d. 1-57, e. 1-54, f. 1-9
  • Dates of Creation
    • 16th-20th century
  • Language of Material
    • English, and Latin.
  • Physical Description
    • 198 shelfmarks

Scope and Content

Manuscripts collected and compiled by W.H. Rylands. Rylands was a freemason and the first section of his own manuscripts reflects his interest in the history of the order. In his later years he became interested in genealogy and heraldry, and edited several volumes for the Harleian Society. The bulk of this collection relates to these subjects.

Administrative / Biographical History

William Harry Rylands (1847-1922) was an antiquary and freemason.

Access Information

Entry to read in the Library is permitted only on presentation of a valid reader's card (for admissions procedures see http://www.bodley.ox.ac.uk).

Acquisition Information

Rylands bequeathed to the Library 'such of my books as they shall select'. The Library acquired the manuscripts, 1922-1941.

Note

Collection level description created by Emily Tarrant, Department of Special Collections and Western Manuscripts.

Other Finding Aids

M. Clapinson and T.D. Rogers, Summary Catalogue of Post-Medieval Western Manuscripts in the Bodleian Library Oxford. Acquisitions 1916-1975. (Oxford, 1991), vol. II, nos. 52334-538.