The John Rylands Research Institute hosts its second Annual Lecture

08 May 2015

Renowned Professor of Jewish Book History delivers lecture illustrated with a staggering array of fine examples from Hebrew collections

The John Rylands Research Institute has hosted its second Annual Lecture, celebrating the richness of the Library's Hebrew collections.

Each year, the Institute invites a distinguished academic to give a public lecture relating to the University's Special Collections.

This year's lecture was delivered by internationally-renowned Professor Emile G. L. Schrijver, Professor of Jewish Book History at the University of Amsterdam and curator of the Bibliotheca Rosenthaliana.

Hosted in The John Rylands Library's Historic Reading Room, the evening commenced with a drinks reception, followed by an opening speech from Dr Jan Wilkinson, University Librarian and Director of The John Rylands Library, and Professor Colette Fagan, Deputy Dean and Associate Dean for Research in Humanities.

As the highlight of the evening, Professor Schrijver discussed how Hebrew scribal traditions influenced Hebrew printing, and how Hebrew manuscript production continued throughout the early modern period under the influence of printing practices. He illustrated his lectures with a staggering array of fine examples from our Hebrew collections, ranging from the famous illuminated Rylands Haggadah to a Judaeo-Tartar version of Genesis.

The lecture was attended by more than 70 guests.

Watch an interview with Professor Schrijver in which he talks about his work with the Institute: