The Brotherton Library and Brotherton Collection

About

For Heritage Open Days 2022 we invite you to explore the Brotherton Library before taking a closer look at highlights from Brotherton’s collection.  

In February 1922, Lord Brotherton bought the rare book of poetry that was to become the first volume in the Brotherton Collection. Throughout 2022 we are celebrating the man and his extraordinary legacy.   

Lord Brotherton & his collection 

Lord Brotherton (1856-1930) was the owner of one of the most successful chemical manufacturing businesses of his time. He was also a generous philanthropist who shared his success. He served as Mayor and Member of Parliament for Wakefield and was Lord Mayor of Leeds. He donated £100,000 for the building of the Brotherton Library, and donated his valuable collection to the library on his death.  

The Brotherton Collection of rare books and manuscripts is one of the most important and extensive to be established in England during the first half of the twentieth century. It includes medieval manuscripts and some of the earliest examples of printed books.  

Join us to see treasures from the collection, find out why Lord Brotherton started to collect, and discover how he amassed such an important collection in less than 10 years.