Image above: John Ruskin's 'Gothic Book' notebook, 1850. Courtesy of The Ruskin, Lancaster University.

Front cover of the FNL Annual Report 2024

Front cover of the FNL Annual Report 2024FNL Annual Report 2024

Read about all grants awarded by FNL during 2024.
11 Jun 2025
Title on first page of manuscript: 'A pamphlyt compile of Cheese, contayninge the differences, nature, qualitie, and goodness, of the same'

Title on first page of manuscript: 'A pamphlyt compile of Cheese, contayninge the differences, nature, qualitie, and goodness, of the same'Curd your enthusiasm....

The oldest english book on cheese gives up its secrets in a new transcription – but author’s identity is still a mystery
18 Apr 2025
Papers from Turing's Delilah project archive

Papers from Turing's Delilah project archiveAlan Turing archive saved for the nation

FNL's own grant and a major donation it secured from XTX Markets have ensured that this rare, export-stopped archive has been saved for the nation.
8 Apr 2025
Sarum Master Bible, folio 585r. Apocalypse, with initial of St John as a medieval scribe, writing his Revelation.

Sarum Master Bible, folio 585r. Apocalypse, with initial of St John as a medieval scribe, writing his Revelation.Sarum Master Bible welcomed home

25 Feb 2025
The Canon Chancellor, Anne Dutton Librarian, and the Dean with the Bible in the Cathedral's 15th-century library.

The Canon Chancellor, Anne Dutton Librarian, and the Dean with the Bible in the Cathedral's 15th-century library.13thC Sarum Master Bible returns to Salisbury

FNL has purchased the Sarum Master Bible and donated it to Salisbury Cathedral - just in time for Christmas.
24 Dec 2024
Elizabeth Barrett Browning letter to her sisters from Avignon, 2 October 1846. From the archive of the British Library (Add MS 89761)

Elizabeth Barrett Browning letter to her sisters from Avignon, 2 October 1846. From the archive of the British Library (Add MS 89761)160 Barrett Browning letters acquired

25 Nov 2024
Detail of the 13th-century Sarum Master Bible. (c) Sotheby's.

Detail of the 13th-century Sarum Master Bible. (c) Sotheby's.Bringing the 13thC Sarum Master Bible back to Salisbury

FNL has launched a campaign to buy the 13th-century Sarum Master Bible and immediately donate it to Salisbury Cathedral Library.
12 Nov 2024
Detail of the 13th-century Sarum Master Bible. (c) Sotheby's.

Detail of the 13th-century Sarum Master Bible. (c) Sotheby's.Help us return the Sarum Master Bible to Salisbury Cathedral!

Help us raise £90,000 to buy the stunning 13th-century Sarum Master Bible for Salisbury Cathedral – returning it home after nearly seven centuries.
5 Nov 2024

Jackie Kay archive acquired by NLS

The literary archive of Jackie Kay has been acquired by the National Library of Scotland with help from FNL
18 Sep 2024

Friends of the Nations' Libraries

Subtle but important name change for FNL
12 Sep 2024

Hardy poetry manuscript returns to Dorset

After nearly 20 years in private collections in the USA Hardy's fair copy manuscript of 'The Departure' returns to Dorset
21 Aug 2024
The cover of the 2023 Annual Report

The cover of the 2023 Annual ReportFNL Annual Report 2023

FNL's Annual Report 2023 has short essays on every acquisition grant awarded during the year.
26 Jun 2024

'Blavatnik Honresfield Library: saved for the nation' launched!

'Blavatnik Honresfield Library: saved for the nation' launched in the historic rooms of John Murray.
24 Oct 2023
FNL annual report 2022

FNL annual report 2022FNL Annual Report 2022

The FNL Annual Report is out now!
15 Jun 2023
Scott's manuscript of the Lay of the Last Minstrel, donated by FNL to Abbotsford.

Scott's manuscript of the Lay of the Last Minstrel, donated by FNL to Abbotsford.Event 30 March: Burns and Scott

Discover more about the Scott and Burns items from the Blavatnik Honresfield Library donated by FNL to NLS and Abbotsford.
18 Mar 2023

Caroline Herschel memoir saved!

Caroline Herschel’s handwritten manuscript draft of her memoir has been acquired by the Herschel Museum and is now on display there.
7 Mar 2023
Several of Charlotte Bronte's 'little book' manuscripts

Several of Charlotte Bronte's 'little book' manuscriptsBlavatnik Honresfield Library - the Bronte manuscripts

17 Jan 2023
Front cover of Chinese Dreams in Romantic England

Front cover of Chinese Dreams in Romantic EnglandA life of Thomas Manning

Dr Ed Weech has written about Thomas Manning's extraordinary life.
21 Dec 2022
Books from the Blavatnik Honresfield Library arrive in Bristol

Books from the Blavatnik Honresfield Library arrive in BristolBlavatnik Honresfield Library around the UK!

Read about the collection of Blavatnik Honresfield Library printed books that have been donated to the University of Bristol.
29 Nov 2022

Rare 17th century lute manscript saved

The manuscript will initially be exhibited at St Cecilia’s Hall alongside a lute also dating from c1620.
2 Nov 2022
FNL, PO Box 4291, Reading, Berkshire, RG8 9JA | Registered Charity No. 313020
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