Chetham's Library Interior 1. The library, situated almost opposite the Collegiate Church of St.Mary, St.Denys and St.George (now Manchester Cathedral), is the oldest free public reference library in the United Kingdom. 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. Members of George SMITH's Party would have been familiar with this building.
Photo by Sue Mackay.