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English-Gaelic dictionary written by Alexander MacLaurin.

 Sub-Series
Identifier: Adv.MSS.72.2.22-72.2.25

Scope and Contents

At Adv.MS.72.2.23, page 458, and Adv.MS.72.2.24, page 549, is the identical subscription: “This English and Gaelic Dictionary consisting of four volumes folio in manuscript half bound was composed by Alexr. McLaurin / Stabler in Edinr. N.B. The English words were taken from Thomas Sheridan’s pronouncing Dictionary in two volumes octavo”. This seems most likely to refer to the edition of the General Dictionary of the English Language published at Dublin in 1784.

Dates

  • Creation: 1807-1810.

Conditions Governing Access

Normal access conditions apply.

Conditions Governing Use

Normal reproduction conditions apply, subject to any copyright restrictions.

Extent

4 Volumes ; 33 x 20 centimetres.

Language of Materials

Gaelic; Scottish Gaelic

Arrangement

Scribal pagination.

Custodial History

Formerly Gaelic MS.LXXII-LXXV.

Highland Society of Scotland Minutes, 15th July 1814, record that “Lord Bannatyne mentioned that Mr. Maclaurin of Edinburgh proposed to present to this Society the M.S.S. of a Gaelic Dictionary compiled by him with great labour, as an Aid towards the Dictionary of that Language upon a more complete scale now in the view of the Society. The Directors were of Opinion, that the conduct of Mr. Maclaurin, in this instance, merited the Thanks of the Society, and of the Directors, and that it may be proper farther to vote him a small token of the Society’s regard—the expence not to exceed five Guineas”. One week later the volumes were presented (cf. Adv.MS.72.2.23), and on 10th January 1815, on Bannatyne’s motion, MacLaurin was voted ‘a Snuff-Box of Fifteen Guineas value, with a suitable inscription’.

The manuscripts were deposited with the Advocates’ collection 15th October 1896.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

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

Separated Materials

For other Alexander McLaurin material see Adv.MSS.72.2.18-72.2.21.

Bibliography

The manuscript has been previously catalogued in: John Mackechnie, ‘Catalogue of Gaelic manuscripts in selected libraries in Great Britain and Ireland’ (Boston, 1973), page 249, and Donald Mackinnon, “Descriptive catalogue of Gaelic manuscripts in the Advocates' library, Edinburgh, and elsewhere in Scotland” (Edinburgh, 1912), page 248.

Physical Description

Bound in boards with leather spine.

Title
National Library of Scotland Catalogue of Manuscripts
Author
National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division
Description rules
International Standard for Archival Description - General
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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