English Literature Collections

The English Literature Collections are of national and international importance. Literary archives, manuscripts, and books – dating from 1600 to the present day – are at the heart of Special Collections, and have long been a focus for acquisitions. The complete English Literature collections were awarded Designated status in 2005.

We’ve created resources to explore several different parts of the English Literature Collections:

Our Brotherton Collection of Manuscript Verse collection guide contains detailed information about items of English poetry within the 17th and 18th century manuscripts held in the Brotherton Collection.

The Letters Database indexes letters held in a wide variety of collections, many literary in nature.

Our Leeds Poetry 1950-1980 research spotlight explores the range and significance of Special Collections' extensive archives relating to poets working at, or connected with, the University between 1950 and 1980.

You can also explore Shakespeare’s First Folio, one of the most important books in the history of English Literature.