Manchester's research institutions are world-class. The University of Manchester Library (together with the John Rylands Library), with over 4.5m books and vast archives of historical material and rare volumes, is second to none. It is one of the few university libraries with the prestigious status of a national research library.
Externally we are supplemented by the rich library and archive holdings of Greater Manchester. Archives contain crucial information on the mainly institutional past of our societies. Historians at Manchester maintain close relationships with different archives; not only with the obvious TNA (The National Archives UK, Kew), county record offices but also with far-away places like Venice or Nigeria.
You can also find a rich array of material remains of past cultures in the museums of the Manchester region. Most important are the holdings of the Manchester Museum, one of the most precious private collections in the country, and an institution with which the School enjoys special links.
One of the few university libraries with the prestigious status of a national research library.
Home to one of the world's finest collections of medieval illuminated manuscripts and rare books.
Chetham's Library is of particular importance to medieval and early-modern historians.
Unrivalled collection of often otherwise unobtainable publications and records of the labour movement.
Far more than an ordinary city public library especially for nineteenth- to mid twentieth century history.
Housing important prehistorics, classical and ethnographic collections.
Devoted to the development of science, technology and industry.
Discover more about the award-winning art gallery and take a look at the must-see highlights.
For a selection of publications by historians from our division, see our History at Manchester bookshelf on Pinterest.