Rylands Manuscripts

Collection Level Description: Rylands Manuscripts

Reference: MSS. Rylands b. 1-11, c. 1-30, c. 32-8, c. 40-69, d. 1-57, e. 1-54, f. 1-9
Title: Rylands Manuscripts
Dates of Creation: 16th-20th cent.
Extent: 198 shelfmarks

Language of Material: English and Latin

Administrative/Biographical History

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

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 Information

Immediate Source of Acquisition

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

Access Conditions

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

Further Information

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.

Access Points

Freemasons

Genealogy

Heraldry

Rylands | William Harry | 1847-1922 | Berkshire Antiquary

Enquiries Transformation from XML to HTML by Lawrence Mielniczuk
09 June 2011