JOHN RYLANDS

Despite John Rylands successful career as a businessman, he was also a very spiritual, religious, psychologically strong individual and became a highly notable philanthropist of the 19th century. He suffered continuous tragedy, the terrible loss of three sons as well as four daughters[1]. The death of his mother in 1829 left a significant impact on him and “his grief was deep and lasting; and the effect upon his whole character was very decided”[2]. He then found the calm he needed to recover and chose the religious path, influenced by the words of the New Testament. What is more, John suffered the death of his first wife Dinah Raby, to whom he was married for eighteen years and followed by the death of his second wife Martha Carden after 27 years of marriage[3].

One of the most important principles in John Rylands life was education, for this reason he encouraged the intelligence of his employees by establishing schools, libraries, chapel and provision stores within the warehouse[4]. It began in Ainsworth Mills in 1839 and carried on in Gorton in 1845[5]. Moreover, he provided Heapey Bleach Works with school as well as an institute within. In Bolton Mills he established a considerable size lending library.[6] Despite his philanthropic activity, John Rylands remained strict yet loyal to his workers with the guaranteed employment to many wage – earners during the whole time needed[7]. Such kindness resulted in him being honoured by Leonard Horner, the Inspector of Factories in 1846[8]. Nevertheless, it is important to note all his donations were kept in secret, in other words his support for various charities was not for the purpose of fame and the capital he received was generously shared with the community. Though, due to his strict observations on the Ten Hours’ Act in 1847 he received public appreciation. However, he rejected the participation in Manchester City Council in 1838, as well as County magistrate in 1845[9]. 

It becomes obvious that John Rylands cared about the young and old. Since 1855, he participated in supporting “Manchester and Salford Asylum for Female Penitents”[10]. His continuous kindness lead to the establishment of Greenheys orphanage in 1864 which was enlarged after a few years so it would accommodate fifty girls[11] followed by the sponsorship of Manchester and Salford Boys and Girls Refuges and Homes[12]. Not to be forgotten, his participation in 1871 through creation of the Manchester Religious Institute. What is more, in 1874 he contributed towards the City Temple, which was introduced to the public as "the most costly Nonconformist chapel ever built in England"[13].

Five years after the death of Dinah Raby, Rylands remarried to Martha Carden therefore “attached himself to the Congregational Church”[14]. T. Wyke and Derek Brumhead explains, that the Church was previously located on Mosley Street, but due to “the noise of public conveyances and carriages passing along Mosley Street” and was moved to Cavendish Street[15]. In 1848, Rylands supported the construction of new Congregational Church by “providing four separate contributions”[16] which was opened June 1848 at an approximate cost of £11,000[17].

The appearance of Italian military in papal monarchy has drawn his attentiveness to Italian evangelization at the age of seventy[18], hence John paid a visit to Italy, acquired knowledge of the Italian language and established an orphanage in Trastevere district in Rome[19]. 

John Rylands funded publication of the New Testament Il Nuovo Testamento in 1867 and Le Nouveau in 1870 – an interpretation in French by J. F. Ostervald[20]. In addition, he publicized three editions of the Rylands Paragraph Bible in 1863, 1878, 1886[21]. Such contributions granted a reward of Knight of the Order of the Crown of Italy by King of Rome - Umberto I[22].

It is also important to notice his charitable activities in the Isle of Wight where John Rylands provided a "large rest home for ministers of slender means”[23]. Always showing empathy, as "He was always ready to stand up and fight for the weak”[24].