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.
"The oldest free public reference library in the English-speaking world."
The 15th-century Baronial Hall next to Chetham's Library
The window alcove in which Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels worked
Manchester ( ) is a city and metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester, England, which had a population of 552,000 at the 2021 census. It is bordered by the Cheshire Plain to the south, the Pennines to the north and east, and the neighbouring city of Salford to the west. The city borders the boroughs of Trafford, Stockport, Tameside, Oldham, Rochdale, Bury and Salford.
Image: Manchester Town Hall from Lloyd St
Image: Manchester Cathedral (4)
Image: High Rise Living at Deansgate Square, geograph 7187627 by David Dixon
Image: Bridgewater Canal, Castlefield Basin (geograph 6966336)
