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Chetham's Library

📍 Greater Manchester, England

4.5 ★★★★½ 2,000 reviews

About

Chetham's Library in Manchester, England, is the oldest free public reference library in the English-speaking world. Chetham's Hospital, which contains both the library and Chetham's School of Music, was established in 1653 under the will of Humphrey Chetham (1580–1653), for the education of "the sons of honest, industrious and painful parents", and a library for the use of scholars. The library has been in continuous use since 1653. It operates as an independent charity.

Housed in a 1421 building originally built for Manchester's Collegiate Church priests. Established in 1653 under the will of merchant Humphrey Chetham for education and public scholarship. Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels studied here in 1845 — their reading desk still stands. Over 350 years of continuous use as a free public library, with over 100,000 printed volumes.