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The circumstances surrounding the foundation of the John Rylands Library, and the commercial and cultural context within which it was established are discussed. The background of John Rylands himself, and of his book collecting, is considered. The general nature of the collections at the Library’s opening is outlined. The relevance of the Library in modern times, and its secured future as part of the University of Manchester, is discussed.

The influence of the early editors of Contemporary Review, on its establishment and development, is discussed. The friendship between its first editor, Henry Alford and Alfred Tennyson, is considered, and the impact of Tennyson illustrated. The intellectual background and circle of Victorian figures assembled around the second editor, J.T. Knowles, is also discussed. The subsequent history and influence of the title is considered.

The history of the publishing firm of Longman is discussed. Particular attention is paid to its publication of the historical works of Lord Macaulay in the nineteenth century and of G.M. Trevelyan in the twentieth century. The firm’s successful development against competiton in the nineteenth century and developments in the twentieth century is considered and the nature of its periodical Longman’s Magazine indicated.

The nature of the 18th century circulating library is briefly described and its role in forming initial readings habits for women leading to the great 19th century women novelists, and so in the development of women’s cultural liberation, is discussed. The changing nature of reading habits and the influence of Mudie and W.H. Smith in the 19th century are described. The evolving nature of reading and reading matter is discussed in a comparison with contemporary reading habits.

Surveys the history of the major libraries of Sweden. The Royal Library in Stockholm, Uppsala and Lund University Libraries and the City and University Libraries of Gothenburg are featured. The development of public libraries in Sweden is also considered.

Founded in 1917 by Leonard and Virginia Woolf, the Hogarth Press was particularly associated with Virginia Woolf’s novels. These are discussed in terms of their literary significance and influence on the development of the Press. The various other authors published by the Press are also described and its history up to and after the First World War examined. Sales figures for a number of its books and the commercial history of the Hogarth Press are indicated.

The publishing career in Victorian England of Alexander Strahan is discussed. His missionary attitude to publishing is indicated, and the problems it led to. His background in journal publishing is outlined and the further development in that area, in particular with Contemporary Review, is examined. His attitude towards the business side of publishing is discussed in relation to the broader scene of Victorian publishing, and his progress in book publishing is considered in a detailed examination of his literary, personal and publishing relationship with Alfred Tennyson. The problems arising from this relationship, and from other aspects of Strahan’s attitude to business, are considered in relation to the failure of his firm. His place and standing in Victorian publishing are discussed.

A brief study of the formative influences of the Brontës of Haworth, Yorkshire, indicates the perhaps somewhat neglected background of his youthful education, at St John’s College, Cambridge, of their famous father, Patrick Brontë. He was very fortunate, as an impoverished Irish Protestant, to gain admission to that illustrious Cambridge college, and so into the Anglican establishment: culturally as well as theologically. The religious aspects apart, we can observe here the classical books that formed Patrick Brontë’s mind and heart, perhaps in the end rather lost to sight amidst the bleak Yorkshire moorlands that provided his three gifted daughters with the inspiration for their famous novels.

The publishing history of The Home University Library is described and discussed. Its publishing economics are considered in relation to contemporary publishing and educational developments and the production of certain titles noted. The place of the library and its significance within publishing and education are discussed.

Describes the early career of Anthony Panizzi in Great Britain, and considers his relationship with W.E. Gladstone. Panizzi’s move to the British Museum Library and his subsequent career there are described, and his often stormy relationship with colleagues noted. Panizzi’s achievements in establishing and developing the British Museum as London’s national library are discussed and the circumstances of his retirement and succession are considered.