Missing, and wishing, and hoping?: Sources for identifying printed books held by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland 1780-1830

Resource type
Conference paper (unpublished)
Creator (person)
Dye, Jill
Abstract
This paper will analyse the variety of sources available for reconstructing the contents and context of the library available to, frequented by and enhanced by key figures of the Scottish enlightenment. The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland was founded in 1780 “to investigate both antiquities and natural and civil history in general, with the intention that the talents of mankind should be cultivated and that the study of natural and useful sciences should be promoted”. The Society collected a very broad range of objects, archives and books towards this aim. While most of the Society’s library stock and archival records still reside at National Museums Scotland (NMS), a significant amount was dispersed to emerging media-specific national institutions during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Consequently, is not currently possible to identify and search the Society’s historic printed holdings sufficiently for them to be included in any analysis of the institution, or of its members. The fi
Project(s)
Digital Reunification of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland’s Historic Library and Archives
Event title
Reading and Book Circulation, 1600-1800 Libraries, Lives and Legacies Festival of Research
Publisher
University of Stirling
Official URL
Related URL
Rights statement
In Copyright
Keywords