{"id":3167,"date":"2024-11-21T23:11:31","date_gmt":"2024-11-21T23:11:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/manchesterka.com\/?p=3167"},"modified":"2024-11-21T23:11:32","modified_gmt":"2024-11-21T23:11:32","slug":"enriqueta-augustina-rylands-the-story-of-a-philanthropist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/manchesterka.com\/en\/eternal-3167-enriqueta-augustina-rylands-the-story-of-a-philanthropist","title":{"rendered":"Enriqueta Augustina Rylands: The Story of a Philanthropist"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Many Manchester residents have heard of Enriqueta Augustina Rylands, <a href=\"https:\/\/manchesterka.com\/en\/eternal-2998-story-of-christabel-pankhurst-the-daughter-of-the-famous-suffragist-emmeline-pankhurst\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/manchesterka.com\/en\/eternal-2998-story-of-christabel-pankhurst-the-daughter-of-the-famous-suffragist-emmeline-pankhurst\">remembered <\/a>as one of the city\u2019s most remarkable philanthropists. She was one of the first women to challenge societal expectations of her time, significantly influencing Manchester\u2019s cultural, social, and intellectual landscape during the 19th century. Next on <a href=\"https:\/\/manchesterka.com\/uk\/\">manchesterka.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Enriqueta\u2019s life underwent a profound transformation after her marriage to John Rylands, one of Manchester&#8217;s wealthiest industrialists. Following his death, she dedicated herself to preserving his legacy\u2014not only in memory but as a lasting benefit to generations of students, scholars, and readers. Her efforts culminated in the creation of the John Rylands Library in industrial Manchester. This library, a world-class institution, remains one of Manchester\u2019s most treasured landmarks in the 21st century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a4b3696ced10\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #090909;color:#090909\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #090909;color:#090909\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a4b3696ced10\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/manchesterka.com\/en\/eternal-3167-enriqueta-augustina-rylands-the-story-of-a-philanthropist\/#Early_Life_of_Enriqueta_Augustina_Rylands\" >Early Life of Enriqueta Augustina Rylands<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/manchesterka.com\/en\/eternal-3167-enriqueta-augustina-rylands-the-story-of-a-philanthropist\/#Marriage_to_John_Rylands\" >Marriage to John Rylands<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/manchesterka.com\/en\/eternal-3167-enriqueta-augustina-rylands-the-story-of-a-philanthropist\/#Philanthropic_Work_of_Enriqueta_Augustina_Rylands\" >Philanthropic Work of Enriqueta Augustina Rylands<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/manchesterka.com\/en\/eternal-3167-enriqueta-augustina-rylands-the-story-of-a-philanthropist\/#Legacy_and_Final_Years\" >Legacy and Final Years<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Early_Life_of_Enriqueta_Augustina_Rylands\"><\/span>Early Life of Enriqueta Augustina Rylands<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.manchesterka.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2024\/11\/ad_4nxejkn1sebwnprcs0v-rgbzn6lwph-n1p3kgg-g10vuuxylqqw5yed-bpvinm5-uv0u3rddsnpqow3jsyq-9jarew_djfq_jqfxek81p031kszbznw8au4fekegvac82dmbb54q62b9qzxyn-owmxtwkujcikeyxxv3_jcae3y5omqfpqpi6ipd.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Born Enriqueta Augustina Tennant in Cuba in 1843, she came from a wealthy family of merchants. Her father, Stephen Cattley Tennant, was a Yorkshire merchant, and her mother, Juana Camila Dalcour, remarried Polish pianist and scholar Julian Fontana after Stephen&#8217;s death in 1848. Enriqueta had four full siblings and a half-brother, Julian Camillo Adam Fontana, from her mother\u2019s second marriage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Enriqueta received a Catholic upbringing and completed her education in New York, London, and Paris. Later, she converted to Congregationalism under the influence of Reverend Thomas Raffles. The family moved to Britain during her childhood, where Enriqueta grew up in a society that often devalued women and restricted their roles to the domestic sphere. However, her privileged upbringing provided her access to educational resources unavailable to most women of her time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Her future took a decisive turn through her marriage to John Rylands, a successful Manchester industrialist renowned for his vast textile empire. Despite the significant age difference\u2014he was 74 and she was 32\u2014their deep intellectual connection and shared commitment to public welfare bound them together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Marriage_to_John_Rylands\"><\/span>Marriage to John Rylands<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.manchesterka.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2024\/11\/ad_4nxdpjrvioco1xursoyehh_laqi43vvxbvwt9xuvek_1g7uwroeocoiy-zkjnmadhqdufmpmalhtp-x32k4hlttndkoxc8wavws6xuh2ulrw3hewn9d7wf0kxcv6sawbzl3zguiwgs6tptz0uwegoww7nej_ykeyxxv3_jcae3y5omqfpqpi6ipd.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>John Rylands was a prominent figure in 19th-century Manchester, known for his contributions to the city\u2019s industrial growth and welfare initiatives. He funded churches, schools, and housing for the poor while supporting various civic projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Enriqueta initially entered the Rylands household as a companion to Martha Rylands, John\u2019s first wife, and became a member of the Cavendish Congregational Church. After Martha&#8217;s death in 1875, Enriqueta and John married eight months later. Although the marriage was childless, they adopted two children: Arthur Forbes, Enriqueta&#8217;s cousin, and Maria Castiglioni. Upon John\u2019s death in 1888, Enriqueta inherited the majority of his wealth, becoming the primary shareholder in the family\u2019s textile company and the Manchester Ship Canal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Philanthropic_Work_of_Enriqueta_Augustina_Rylands\"><\/span>Philanthropic Work of Enriqueta Augustina Rylands<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.manchesterka.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/71\/2024\/11\/ad_4nxcsr1arfwzow6rzirufyhe721igbejwg2jcwx6hjuwqyrkbhsdb5fz0wb3dbykibvkrxgyn2xpjfu050nupghtfsk2kppxry8ilyrclypiq91nplonoygipqfxux4oozaf7jvqaszxal2mvkdm0nc7t76zgkeyxxv3_jcae3y5omqfpqpi6ipd.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>After John Rylands&#8217; death, Enriqueta faced the challenge of how to use her significant inheritance. Rather than expanding her husband\u2019s business ventures, she chose to honor his memory by dedicating her resources and energy to a monumental project: the creation of the John Rylands Library. Her goal was not merely to establish a library but to create a revolutionary cultural space accessible to all Manchester residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The library was designed to house a world-class collection of rare manuscripts and books. Enriqueta curated important works from across Europe, including illuminated texts, biblical manuscripts, and significant theological, philosophical, and scientific writings. In 1892, she discreetly purchased the famed Spencer Collection for \u00a3210,000, securing rare volumes of global significance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Enriqueta commissioned the English architect Basil Champneys to design the library, inspired by the Mansfield College in Oxford but with greater grandeur. The John Rylands Library officially opened on 6 October 1899, a date chosen to commemorate her wedding anniversary with John Rylands. That same day, she became the first woman to be granted the Freedom of the City of Manchester.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She devoted the remainder of her life to charitable and missionary work, bequeathing much of her fortune to educational and medical institutions, including the Victoria University of Manchester and the library she founded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even after the library\u2019s opening, Enriqueta actively expanded its collection. In 1901, she acquired the Lindesiana Library for \u00a3155,000, adding over 6,000 rare manuscripts. This private collection, belonging to James Lindsay, 26th Earl of Crawford, was one of Britain\u2019s most significant, enhancing the John Rylands Library\u2019s global reputation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Legacy_and_Final_Years\"><\/span>Legacy and Final Years<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Enriqueta Augustina Rylands, a visionary philanthropist and cultural pioneer, passed away in 1908 at the age of 64 after years of struggling with rheumatic symptoms. She left an enduring legacy in Manchester\u2019s literary and cultural spheres, with the John Rylands Library standing as a testament to her dedication to education and knowledge.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Many Manchester residents have heard of Enriqueta Augustina Rylands, remembered as one of the city\u2019s most remarkable philanthropists. She was one of the first women to challenge societal expectations of her time, significantly influencing Manchester\u2019s cultural, social, and intellectual landscape during the 19th century. Next on manchesterka.com. Enriqueta\u2019s life underwent a profound transformation after her [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":402,"featured_media":3044,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1034],"tags":[2042,2044,2047,2046,2054,2052,2053,2056,2048,2050,2043,2051,2049,2045,2055],"moimportance":[34,33],"motype":[1045],"moformat":[66],"class_list":{"0":"post-3167","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world-life","8":"tag-19th-century-manchester-history","9":"tag-basil-champneys-architecture","10":"tag-cultural-legacy-of-manchester","11":"tag-enriqueta-augustina-rylands","12":"tag-john-rylands-industrialist","13":"tag-john-rylands-library","14":"tag-lindesiana-library-acquisition","15":"tag-manchester-historical-landmarks","16":"tag-manchester-philanthropy","17":"tag-rare-books-in-britain","18":"tag-rare-manuscript-collections","19":"tag-spencer-collection-purchase","20":"tag-victorian-philanthropists","21":"tag-women-pioneers-in-manchester","22":"tag-womens-contributions-to-education","23":"moimportance-golovna-novina","24":"moimportance-retranslyacziya-v-agregatori","25":"motype-eternal","26":"moformat-vlasna"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/manchesterka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3167","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/manchesterka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/manchesterka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/manchesterka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/402"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/manchesterka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3167"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/manchesterka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3167\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3168,"href":"https:\/\/manchesterka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3167\/revisions\/3168"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/manchesterka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3044"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/manchesterka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3167"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/manchesterka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3167"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/manchesterka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3167"},{"taxonomy":"moimportance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/manchesterka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moimportance?post=3167"},{"taxonomy":"motype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/manchesterka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motype?post=3167"},{"taxonomy":"moformat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/manchesterka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moformat?post=3167"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}