The Honresfield Library, also called the Blavatnik Honresfield Library, is a British collection of literary manuscripts and printed books assembled as a private library in the 19th century. In 2021, it was purchased by the Friends of the Nations' Libraries and donated to institutions across the United Kingdom.[1]
William Law (1835–1901) was a mill owner and wool manufacturer in Lancashire, England, whose home from 1873 onwards was Honresfeld or Honresfield House near Littleborough. He collected books, manuscripts, and paintings, taking a particular interest in Jane Austen, the Brontës,[2] [3] Robert Burns, Lord Byron, and Sir Walter Scott.[4] [5] [6]
Law's descendants offered the collection for auction through Sotheby's in 2021. The Friends of the National Libraries led a fundraising campaign to acquire the collection for the nation. Sir Len Blavatnik's family foundation offered to contribute £7.5 million if matched funding could be found to meet the asking price of £15 million, which was achieved by the end of 2021, including £4 million from the National Heritage Memorial Fund.[7]
The Friends of the National Libraries donated the collection to a range of public and university libraries and museums across the United Kingdom, some with joint ownership. Authors' manuscripts are now in Jane Austen's House, the Brontë Parsonage Museum, the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, and Walter Scott's home Abbotsford.[8]