Might the walls of the Glasgow University Archives whisper secrets of centuries past? The Glasgow University Archives stand as a testament to the University’s enduring legacy. It safeguards records dating back to its founding in 1451.
The earliest surviving document is a charter from 1304. It concerns lands that would later belong to the University. Imagine holding a piece of parchment that connects you to the 14th century.
In 1490, the Annales Universitatis Glasguensis recorded the decision to create official books. These books would contain important university documents. These included statutes and lists of university members. A paper book was also created. It recorded judicial proceedings. This early commitment to record-keeping highlights the Glasgow University Archives’ historical importance.
Initially, the Clerk to the Faculty maintained the University’s records. Later, the Clerk of Senate assumed this responsibility. They ensured the University’s privileges, rights, policies, and finances were well-documented. The Clerk’s Press is the oldest surviving piece of university furniture. Acquired in 1634, it was used to store these vital records.
In 1955, the University appointed its first professional archivist. Today, the Glasgow University Archives is one of Scotland’s largest archive services outside Edinburgh’s national archives. Its extensive collections attract researchers and historians from around the globe.
Beyond University records, the Glasgow University Archives manages the Scottish Business Archives. This collection is internationally significant. It contains records from over 500 individual businesses. These span Scotland and beyond. They date from the 18th century to the present. Sydney Checkland, the first professor of Economic History, inaugurated the Scottish Business Archives in 1959. The University Archives has managed them since 1975. The Scottish Business Archives is one of Europe’s largest collections of business archives.
The collections include records from the University’s predecessor institutions. These include Anderson’s College of Medicine and Glasgow Veterinary College. Others are Glasgow Dental Hospital & School, Queen Margaret College, and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama. St Andrews College of Education, St Mungo’s College of Medicine, and Trinity College are also represented.
There are extensive photograph collections. They depict University personnel, buildings, and Scottish topography. Plans of University buildings and land are also preserved.
The shipbuilding records are particularly impressive. Many are held on behalf of the National Archives of Scotland. They include John Brown of Clydebank. This company built the Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary. Other shipbuilders represented are William Denny and Brothers of Dumbarton, Lithgows of Port Glasgow, and Scotts of Greenock. Scotts of Greenock is the world’s senior shipbuilder.
Records from major national and international companies are also housed here. These include North British Locomotive Co. It was the world’s largest locomotive works in 1900. Other companies include James Finlay & Sons, East India merchants, and Gourock Ropeworks Co and their New Lanark Mills. New Lanark Mills is now a World Heritage site. J & P Coats, the dominant Paisley thread manufacturers, are also represented. So too is the House of Fraser department store group. Anchor Line, a cruise and emigrant passenger shipping company, is included. As are Ivory & Sime, Edinburgh investment trust managers. Babcock & Wilcox, boiler-makers, and Lloyds TSB, Scotland, are also present. Major Scottish brewing and distilling companies like Tennents and Scottish & Newcastle also feature.
The Glasgow University Archives also holds personal papers. These are from entrepreneurs and families. They include Viscount William Weir, Sir James Lithgow, and the Napier family. The Napier family’s shipping, automobile, and textile interests are documented.
Admission to the Glasgow University Archives is free. Everyone is welcome to use the collections. This includes university members, visiting researchers, and the general public. The main searchroom is at 13 Thurso Street. A ground-level searchroom operates in the Dumbarton Road building.
The Glasgow University Archives offers a fascinating glimpse into Scotland’s past. From ancient charters to modern business records. It is a treasure trove of historical information. As you leave, consider the countless stories waiting to be discovered within these walls.