1875: The Inauguration of the Yorkshire College of Science and the formation of the University of Leeds
- 18:00
- Hybrid
- The Leeds Library,
- Free
The Thoresby Society, Leeds’ historical society, welcomes all who are interested in exploring the city’s rich heritage.
This website is fully searchable using the box in the top right corner the main menu or using the search box below. The various sections of the website are also searchable individually. If you are within a section, only that section will be searched. If you use the search bar here or at the top of the page, the whole website will be searched.
about us
The Thoresby Society was founded in 1889 as the principal historical society for Leeds and district. It seeks to promote interest, encourage research, and to collect and make available books, documents and other material for this purpose. It publishes annually, a series of articles, books and documents on a wide range of topics of local historical interest. It also provides members with engaging talks and excursions, all of which make Leeds history accessible to everyone interested in exploring its past. The Society is named after Ralph Thoresby (1685 – 1725), Leeds’ first historian.
Research
The Society has collected an extensive Library, and also an archive of historical records, maps, images, and newspapers, which are housed within our space at the historic Leeds Library. The public area of this website contains the indexes to most of the archival material, which can be viewed by prior appointment with our librarians. Part of the archive collection is available online, including some rare maps, images and documents. Similarly the Society’s first series of publications up to 1990 has been digitised. This material is accessible to members via the members area or, via a one-off access fee, for non-members.
free access
The nine maps in this section highlight the evolution of the form of Leeds from the middle ages to the present day.
free access
Some gems from the Library & Archives of the Thoresby Society. This section has articles and photographs of treasured items from the society archives.
As part of a Thoresby Society membership, members are able to get instant access to our full online Archive and Leeds History material, as well as access to our in-person Library in Leeds.
Joining the Thoresby Society offers a unique opportunity to engage deeply with the history and heritage of Leeds. Members enjoy exclusive access to our extensive archives, a complimentary annual publication, and a calendar of engaging talks, excursions, and events.
