The daily life of previous generations of students at the University of Aberdeen is revealed in a new book that delves into how students were taught, how they learned and how they behaved in and outside the classroom.
The book, entitled Aberdeen Students 1600 – 1860, is by former University of Aberdeen archivist and librarian, Colin McLaren, who will this week deliver two presentations during which he will introduce and read extracts from his new publication.
As well as focusing on learning and teaching at the University, Aberdeen Students, also describes how the students worshipped, how they relaxed, where they came from and what they did afterwards.
Jennifer Carter, General Editor of the University’s Quincentennial Studies series, said: “Few studies of student life before the mid-19th century offer more than occasional glimpses of what it was like to be an undergraduate student
“This book illuminates the daily lives of students at the Universities of Aberdeen between 1600 and 1860. It draws in details on the careers of 127 students, with more fragmentary information about hundreds of others. It is based on many years of work in the University’s own archives, enriched by a wide range of other sources.”
After a 30-year association with the University of Aberdeen, Colin McLaren retired from the post of University Librarian at the end of August 1999. As Archivist and Librarian, Mr McLaren did much to foster North East history as well as the history of the University.
Colin McLaren’s first talk will be held on Wednesday, March 8, at 7.00pm in the Linklater Rooms, King’s College, entitled Tablemates: Students and Civility in the 17th century. This will discuss the behaviour of students and how and why the University authorities attempted to regulate it, and there will be a reading from John Row’s ‘Rules of the Table’ 1657. The talk will be introduced by the University’s Vice-Principal for Library and Information Services, Chris Gane.
On Thursday, March 9, Mr McLaren will deliver a talk entitled Aberdeen Students 1600 – 1860: another appendix. This will discuss the sources for student biography and is sponsored by the Friends of Aberdeen University Library. The talk will be held in the Queen Mother Library Seminar Room.
Members of the public are invited to attend both events.
To purchase a copy of Aberdeen Students 1600 – 1860 write to: Booksales, University of Aberdeen, Queen Mother Library, Meston Walk, Aberdeen, AB24 3UE, or call (01224) 272594, or email: m.craig@abdn.ac.uk.