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Materials for a preface to a proposed but unrealised edition of the works of George Buchanan by the genealogist James Anderson, Writer to the Signet, and others.

 Item
Identifier: Adv.MS.31.6.4

Scope and Contents

The work was intended as a reply to the criticisms of Buchanan by Robert Freebairn in the preface and by Thomas Ruddiman in the life of Buchanan in Ruddiman`s edition of Buchanan`s ‘Opera Omnia’. The edition appears to have been proposed by the Lord Advocate, Sir David Dalrymple, 1st Baronet, of Hailes, and a society was formed under Anderson in 1719, but following the deaths shortly afterwards of some of Anderson`s principal collaborators, including Dalrymple, the project lapsed.

The materials consist of a nearly continuous text in Latin, comprising replies to Freebairn (folio 1), and to Ruddiman (folio 43), with many small alterations and a number of additions, some quite lengthy, in the margins. They are followed (folio 68) by a history, or part of a history of Scotland covering the years 1557-1559.

This manuscript is written in an unidentified hand which seems to be the same as that responsible for the notes inside the front cover and at the end of Adv.MS.31.6.2.

Conflicting information, about Ruddiman`s edition, the proposed edition and those taking part is contained at the beginning of the text and at Adv.MS.31.6.2, folio i, Adv.MS.31.6.4, folio i verso, and Adv.MS.31.6.11, folio i.

Dates

  • Creation: 1719, or after.

Extent

0.00 Linear metres (i + 80 folios. Quarto.)

Language of Materials

English

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Presented, 1925, by the Faculty of Advocates to the nation on the foundation of the National Library of Scotland.

Related Materials

For another rather different copy in Latin of the materials see Adv.MS.31.6.2, and for a copy in English see Adv.MS.31.6.11.

Bibliography

Buchanan, George. ‘Opera Omnia’, edited by Thomas Ruddiman (Edinburgh, 1715), 2 volumes.
Title
National Library of Scotland Catalogue of Manuscripts
Author
National Library of Scotland
Date
13 07 2015
Description rules
Finding Aid Prepared Using Local Descriptive Rules
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division Repository

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