JOHN RYLANDS

John Rylands was born on the 7th February in 1801, in the village of Parr near St. Helen's in Lancashire[3].

Joseph Rylands (1767 - 1847), his father, was a small-scale manufacturer in cotton production[4].

His mother - Elizabeth (1761 - 1829) is a Pilkington’s descendant, a wealthy family from Lancashire[5]. She is portrayed as a very intelligent, wise, sensible and Bible loving woman[6]. 

John Rylands was the youngest of a family of five - three sons and two daughters[7], moreover when John was born his mother was in her fortieth year allowing this fully matured woman to completely commit into the formation of his personality[8]. Furthermore, John's father provided his sons with high standards of education and introduced them to the provision of business[9]. 

In 1817[10], at the age of sixteen, John became an independent small – scale merchant, therefore his brothers Joseph and Richard, recognized his abilities and potential within the industry. Consequently, Joseph and Richard had established a joint venture together with John in 1818[11], focusing upon the wholesale trade and  redistribution of goods to other businesses.

After successful establishment of the business with his brother Joseph and Richard their father had suggested joining their partnership, proposing the possibility of generating larger capital gains. This is how the company Rylands & Sons established in 1819[12], which gave an opportunity for John Rylands to hone his skills of a retail draper and commercial traveller. 

In 1829, Elizabeth Pilkington died at the age of sixty - eight[13] and John Rylands realised that up until then he was very career focused and put too much effort in securing his own wealth by leaving religion aside[14]. Subsequently, after his mother's death he put family as his main priority. Religion was an important aspect, the Rylands family were Congregationalists[15] and had “always attended the services”[16]. After his mother passed away he obtained Baptists beliefs and at the age of 29 was baptised at the John Birt chapel in York St., Manchester[17]. 

John Rylands success in the cotton industry not only brought him wealth but also turned Manchester into a significant, thriving and prosperous city of England. D. A. Farnie refers to Manchester with a reference of “Cottonopolis” because as early as 1860 it became the centre of international trade, that retained a cardinal number of mills, thus it became it became a retailer of production to a large number of other mills[18].

It is important to note that Manchester was not always such an expansive, industrial city but the cotton industry gradually enabled the growth of its commerce. ‘Cottonopolis’ was the outcome of hard work and a risk that individual merchants and manufacturers undertook. 

Within the industry, hardly known by the public, John Rylands established the largest businesses not only in Manchester, but also in London and Liverpool.

John Rylands was judged for gaining his wealth by paying low salaries to his workers, but the wealth gained was not on the account of his employees[19], oppositely, his interest in industry, loyalty to his customers, gradually increasing range and quality of his production were bigger factors. 

Nonetheless, not only was he a great businessman but he also became a most notable philanthropist of the nineteenth century. He took great care of orphans, widows and elders. He continuously donated to various charities and promoted education by providing facilities within his warehouses for his employees. 

John Rylands aged eighty-seven died on 11th December, 1888[20]. He died at home in Longford, Stretford and was buried at the Southern Cemetery[21].

His third wife, Enriqueta Rylands, had secured his achievements and dedication to the community. According to The Manchester Guardian, Enriqueta inherited the remaining assets of John Rylands[22] that totalled up to £2,574,922[23] million, of which £157,000 was handed over to various charities[24], religious and educational institutions[25]. Therefore, Enriqueta used the money for good cause.  She erected and established one of the most astonishing buildings in 1899[26] in the heart of Manchester City centre - The John Rylands Library, as a memorial to her beloved husband.