Drawing on recent debates about the methods of book history, this book explores in detail the foundation and development of Chetham's Library, in Manchester, from its foundation in 1655 until the end of the seventeenth century.

Matthew Yeo studied Modern History at St Catherine's College, Oxford and at Princeton University. His PhD, completed at the University of Manchester in 2009, was on the acquisition of books by Chetham's Library, Manchester, between 1655 and 1700. He now teaches History at Charterhouse, Surrey.