Shakespeare Hall

Shakespeare Hall takes its name from the central stained glass window featuring the dramatist and scenes from his plays. This was designed by Robert Anning Bell, and was given to the library by Mrs. Leo Grindon in memory of her husband. Two side windows, designed by George Kruger Gray, part of the same bequest, depict the arms of Manchester and the University and the County and Duchy of Lancaster. The ceiling is decorated with the arms and crests of the Duchy of Lancaster, the Sees of York, Manchester and the City of Manchester and Lancashire County Council.

Around the walls are the arms and crests of Manchester Grammar School, Manchester University, Manchester Regiment, Humphrey Chetham, Overseers of the Township, England, St. George, St. Mary (patron saint of Manchester), and over the memorial window, Shakespeare. He is surrounded by figures of his immortals Ariel, Juliet, Jaques, Falstaff, Othello, Lear and two scenes from Midsummer Night's Dream and The Tempest.

The statue on the left landing is the Reading Girl by G. Ciniselli. It is made of white marble. It was brought to England from Italy by Daniel Adamson, promoter of the Manchester Ship Canal, and was presented to the library by his grandchildren, the Parkyn family, in 1938. The walls of Shakespeare Hall, like those of much of the first floor, are covered with Hopton Wood stone quarried in Derbyshire.

Related Material:See also M740/2/14/5/16