What can historic library borrowing records tell us about the milieu that produced Adam Smith, the great theorist of capitalism; or James Watt, whose improvements to the steam engine propelled the industrial revolution? Which books were the students and professors at the eighteenth-century University of Glasgow actually reading? How Scottish was the Scottish Enlightenment?
Tackling these questions and more, this free event provides an opportunity to engage with the ongoing work of the AHRC-funded project 'Books and Borrowing: An Analysis of Scottish Borrowers' Registers, 1750-1850', led by Prof Katie Halsey and Dr Matthew Sangster at the Universities of Stirling and Glasgow; see https://borrowing.stir.ac.uk/ for more details.
The event is split into two sessions, both taking place in Special Collections on the top floor of Glasgow University Library.
Session 1 (13.30-15.00): Following introductions from Prof Halsey and Dr Gerard McKeever (Stirling), there will be a series of talks from experts at Glasgow: Dr Kit Baston, Dr Michelle Craig, Dr Craig Lamont, Robert MacLean (GUL), Dr Dahlia Porter, Dr Craig Smith, Dr Matthew Sangster.
There will be an interval with free refreshments.
Session 2 (15.30-17.00): This more informal session will give attendees the chance to see some of the eighteenth-century books and borrowing records up-close, and to chat to members of the research team. There is no obligation to stay for the full 90 minutes.
The talks in the first part of the day will also be broadcast to an online audience. If you would like to attend the virtual event instead, please visit the alternative listing here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/books-and-borrowing-in-eighteenth-century-glasgow-online-tickets-290395218917
