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English Literature and Creative Writing: Special Collections

Close-up of typewriter keys

The Library's Special Collections provide a rich resource for English Literature & Creative Writing at The University of Manchester.

What are Special Collections?

picture of a Chaucer manuscript and an iPad image of the same manuscript

What are Special Collections?

The University of Manchester Library holds one of the finest collections of rare books, manuscripts, archives and visual collections in the world. These collections are mainly concentrated in the magnificent building on Deansgate, The John Rylands Research Institute and Library, in the centre of Manchester. They are also housed in the Main Library on the University campus and at the Ahmed Iqbal Ullah RACE Centre, in Manchester Central Library. This resource introduces the different types of materials found in Special Collections and explains how they can be used to support your studies. For general tips on accessing digital and physical collections and visiting our reading room, please look at our other blog resources.

Special Collections subject area guides

Our Special Collections are both rich and vast. The following collections are an excellent place to begin exploring what's on offer with relation to English Literature & Creative Writing

 

English Literature Collections

First lines of Caxton's c.1476 edition of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales

 

European Literature Collections

Engraving from opening of Dante's Inferno: the Dark Wood, Hill of Difficulty, Panther, Lion, Wolf

 

Performing Arts Collections

Henry Irving's Prompt Book for Goethe's play Faust, showing stage directions

 

History of the Book Collections

Woodblock and Illustration (Althea), 1568 R220996 and Pre1701 Med Coll 1577

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