Treasures of the Brotherton Gallery

The Treasures of the Brotherton Gallery is a public exhibition housed by the University of Leeds, rooted in Yorkshire and open to the world.

The Gallery is the public face of the exceptional Special Collections held at the University of Leeds.

Discover remarkable and unique items from collections recognised as nationally and internationally significant. Amongst these treasures is a rare copy of the first folio containing the plays of William Shakespeare. Other gems include a Tudor cookery book printed in the time of Elizabeth I and a map and compass used by the first prisoner to escape back to Britain from Germany in the First World War.

Explore the history of writing from hand to print. Follow the journey from unique medieval illuminated manuscripts to the artistry of beautiful books from the Kelmscott Press of William Morris.

Gain insight into the imagination and creativity of acclaimed authors and poets. See handwritten materials by the Brontës and Oscar Wilde, alongside manuscripts by the finest contemporary writers.

Join explorers and pioneers in political, medical and social history through their notebooks, pamphlets and posters.

Special Collections at the University of Leeds is the only institution to have as many as five collections Designated by Arts Council England as nationally or internationally significant. They are all shown in the gallery:

English Literature Collection
Cookery Collection
Romany Collection
Leeds Russian Archive
Liddle Collection

The Gallery also has a temporary exhibition space which will be used to showcase special changing exhibitions.