Correspondence and papers of Dr Hew Morrison, Gaelic scholar, including extracts from the diary of Rev. Murdo MacDonald, minister of Durness.
Content Description
Correspondence and papers of Dr Hew Morrison (1850-1935), Gaelic scholar and a native Gaelic speaker from Torrisdale, Sutherland. He became the first librarian of the Edinburgh Free Public Library, now Central Library, a post which he held until his retirement in 1922. The library had been founded with the help of a gift from Andrew Carnegie, with whom Morrison remained in close friendship while acting as representative for Carnegie's library foundation scheme.
The papers include: letters on Gaelic-related and more general subjects; papers concerning Morrison's post as librarian and his own collection of Gaelic books, many of which are now held in the Library (shelfmark H.M.); research papers concerning, and extracts transcribed from, the lost diary of Rev. Murdo MacDonald (Murdoch MacDonald), minister of Durness (1695-1763); a heavily annotated proof copy of Morrison's edition of the poetry of the Gaelic poet Rob Donn (Mackay) and research papers connected to the edition.
Dates
- Creation: 1877-2003 and undated, with most of the material dated 1877-1920s.
Creator
Language of Materials
The papers are in English and Gaelic.
Extent
34 Folders
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Presented, 2021, by Mrs C L Smith, Kirriemuir, through the good offices of Dr Ellen Beard.
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division Repository
Archives and Manuscript Division
National Library of Scotland
George IV Bridge
Edinburgh EH1 1EJ
0131 623 3700
manuscripts@nls.uk