Enriqueta Augustina Rylands (1843-1908)

Portrait engraving of Enriqueta Rylands from a photograph by R.K. Durrant and Son of Torquay.

Founder of the John Rylands Library.

Miss Enriqueta Tennant had a cosmopolitan upbringing. She was born in Cuba in 1843 into a family of wealthy sugar growers. As a child she lived in Cuba, England, France and America. Her parents both died suddenly, Enriqueta was an orphan by the time she was thirteen. She was close to her sisters and twin brother; their children called her 'Aunt Quita'.

In the early 1860s Miss Tennant became the companion of Martha, the second wife of John Rylands. As a well-educated and talented young woman, she was perfect for this role. Enriqueta cared for Martha until her death in 1875. Eight months later Enriqueta married John Rylands. They had no children of their own, but adopted a son and a daughter.

When John Rylands died in 1888, his widow founded a library in his memory. The Library was built with the money Enriqueta inherited, but it was her taste, intelligence and determination that made the Library so special. The people of Manchester recognised Enriqueta's achievement and generosity. She was the first woman to be awarded the Freedom of the City of Manchester. Mrs Rylands died in Torquay in 1908, after a long illness.

Further information:

• Oxford Dictionary of National Biography entry for Eqriqueta Augustina Rylands

The University of Manchester is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.