Humphrey Chetham

Portrait of Humphrey Chetham, now in the library reading room

Sir Humphrey Chetham (10 July 1580 – 1653) was an English merchant and Christian Philanthropist, responsible for the creation of Chetham's Hospital and Chetham's Library, the oldest public library in the English-speaking world.

Life

Chetham was born in Crumpsall, Lancashire, England, the son of a successful Manchester merchant who lived in Crumpsall Hall. He was educated at Manchester Grammar School, and in 1597 was apprenticed to Samuel Tipping, a Manchester linen draper. Chetham remained with Tipping until 1605, when he moved to London with his brother George and set up a partnership with him trading in various textiles. The business was successful, since the fabric was bought in London and sold for a higher price in Manchester. He acquired Clayton Hall in Manchester as his home, and in 1628 was also able to buy Turton Tower from William Orrell.

In 1631, he was offered a knighthood after his wealth became known to the crown, but he refused it, and so was fined. He later became the High Sheriff of Lancashire in 1635, a position he was unable to refuse, and in 1643 he was forced into the position of General Treasurer of Lancashire.

Philanthropic Foundations

Chetham was a pious man who sided with the Parliamentarians and Cromwell during the Civil War 1642-49. For many years before his death Chetham attempted to make provision for a large charitable scheme. Towards the end of his life he began to pay for the education and maintenance of twenty-two boys from the Manchester region. His concern was to overcome poverty by curing ignorance, and to provide the hope of a livelihood for underprivileged boys. He went on to set up a blue coat school for forty poor boys, known as Chetham's Hospital because it was a place of shelter as well as instruction. In the twentieth century this evolved into the present Chetham's School of Music. He also left a bequest to found the Chetham's Library, with an endowment to pay for the books, then a considerable expense. The collection has grown into a large and very valuable one for research purposes and it has been designated as one of national and international importance.

Chetham died unmarried on 20 September 1653 at the age of 72, and was buried amid much pomp and ceremony at the Collegiate Church of Manchester.

After Chetham's death, at Clayton Hall, in 1653, the school and library opened. His contribution is commemorated by a statue and a window in Manchester Cathedral and by a statue and mural in Manchester Town Hall. By prior arrangement, Clayton Hall was left to the surviving nephew, George.

References

Notes

Bibliography

External links

• Official site of Chetham's library
• Works by or about Humphrey Chetham in libraries (WorldCat catalog)