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University of Edinburgh (Scottish University)

 Organization

Biography

The University of Edinburgh was established by Royal Charter in 1582. It was originally called Tounis College, when part of a legacy left by Robert Reid, Bishop of Orkney in 1558 had established a college of which the Town Council had gained control to establish a College of Law on the South side of Edinburgh. The inception of the University took place in 1583. In 1617 when King James VI of Scotland (I of England) visited the College it was decreed that the College should change its name to King James' College, although the College continued to use the older title. The first change in the corporate body of the University was not until 1935 when the first merger took place. This was between the Faculty of Divinity of the University of Edinburgh and New College. This was due to the re-union of the Church of Scotland in 1932.The next merger was in 1951 when the Royal (Dick) Veterinary School was reconstituted as part of the University of Edinburgh. The Royal (Dick) Veterinary School achieved full faculty status in 1964. In 1998 Moray House Institute of Education became the Faculty of Education.

The first classes of the university were held in Hamilton House known as the Duke's Lodge. In 1582 a site that included St Mary in the Fields was acquired. Many new buildings and extensions were made to the site of Hamilton House after 1616. Two prominent stages of building for the University were those undertaken by Robert Adam and William Playfair. In 1869 the site next to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary was acquired. Building on this project was completed by the end of the 19th century. The University today is situated around these areas in the centre of Edinburgh and Kings Buildings and there are also campuses at Holyrood and elsewhere.

Teaching began in 1583 under Robert Rollock, with a four year course in arts to gain a masters of arts. When Rollock was appointed as the first principal of the University, there were four Philosophy regents and one regent of Humanity, whilst Rollock specialized in Divinity. Until the beginning of the 18th century the University remained essentially an Arts College, with a Divinity School attached. Throughout the 17th century the Chairs of Divinity, Oriental Languages, Ecclesiastical History and Mathematics had been created. By the end of the 17th century there was also regular teaching in Medicine, and sporadic teaching in Law. The University was at the centre of European Enlightenment in the 18th century. By 1722 a Faculty of Law had been established. The first medical Chair had been established in 1685 and was closely followed in the first half of the 18th century by six more. Four more medical Chairs were created in the 19th century. New Chairs in other Faculties were not established after 1760 until the latter half of the 19th century when they followed in rapid succession, continuing in the 20th century, which include those produced by the mergers with New College, the Royal (Dick) Veterinary School and Moray House Institute of Education.

The University was governed by the town council until the Universities (Scotland) Act of 1858, when it received self governing status. The archaic teaching and management system of regents was abolished in 1708. The 1858 act dramatically changed the constitution of the University. A University Court and General Council were introduced which decided on matters and management pertaining to the whole University. The Senatus Academicus was already in place before 1858and this managed academic matters, but answered to the Court and Council. This system is still used.

The University of Edinburgh provides validation for a Master of Fine Arts that has run jointly with Edinburgh College of Art since 1943. A joint chair, the Hood Chair of Mining Engineering was established in 1923 with Heriot-Watt College which became Heriot-Watt University.

In 2002, the structure of the university was altered substantially, with the abolition of Faculties and the creation of the College of Humanities & Social Science, the College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine and the College of Science & Engineering. Departments were replaced by Schools within each Faculty.

Found in 53 Collections and/or Records:

Papers of the City of Edinburgh Working Party on Major Highway Planning, 1963-1983

 Sub-Series
Identifier: PJM/PJMA/EUD/A/1
Scope and Contents Papers of the City of Edinburgh Working Party on Major Highway Planning consists of: minutes, reports and correspondence, (1964-1976) City of Edinburgh Planning and Transport Study - reports, (1971) collected reports concerning transportation planning in Edinburgh, (1963-1983) plans: Tollcross CDA development brief, (1970) scenic...
Dates: 1963-1983

Tentative planning proposals: Arts and Social Sciences Precinct, 1964

 File
Identifier: PJM/PJMA/EUD/B/6.5.1
Scope and Contents Set of 9 copy architectural plans and sections (62cm x 76cm), at 1:500 scale, of the proposed Arts and Social Sciences Precinct for the University of Edinburgh. All are stamped "draft for discussion only". 4 are hand overlaid using large-tip felt-tip pens to show proposals for pedestrian and traffic access and circulation at different levels of the development. 1 is similarly overlaid to show phasing information at podium level. There is a bird's eye view 3 dimensional view of the...
Dates: 1964

University of Edinburgh: "An Expanding University" - exhibition of university development at Adam House, correspondence, papers and photographs, 1960-1984

 File
Identifier: PJM/PJMA/EUD/F/3
Scope and Contents University of Edinburgh: Permanent exhibition of university development at Adam House, correspondence, papers and photographs file consists of: correspondence including notes concerning work required to set-up the exhibition, the possibility of reinstating it and concern about its future. completed information forms concerning the buildings to be profiled in the exhibition ...
Dates: 1960-1984

University of Edinburgh Comprehensive Development Area, 1962

 File
Identifier: PJM/PJMA/EUD/B/1.8.8
Scope and Contents Set of manuscript transparancy architectural layout plans, by Percy Johnson-Marshall & Associates, at 1:1250 scale, with "letratone" areas numbered 2-6 (no 1 missing), showing the commercial area of the proposed comprehensive redevelopment of the University of Edinburgh campus. The first 4 show plans at different levels of the development - ground level, mezzanine storage level, deck level, and roof level. The final plan shows an elevation section through the development. ...
Dates: 1962

University of Edinburgh Comprehensive Development Area: Old College Redevelopment: plans, 1949-1977

 undefined
Identifier: PJM/PJMA/EUD/B/12.2
Scope and Contents

Old College Redevelopment: plans consists of:


  1. plans: The Old College - South Bridge, (c1960)
  2. plans: Old College surface treatment, (1977)
  3. plans: water colours of Old College, (1949)
Dates: 1949-1977

University of Edinburgh Comprehensive Development Area: water colours of Old College, 1949

 File
Identifier: PJM/PJMA/EUD/B/12.2.3
Scope and Contents

5 manuscript architectural drawings (40cm x 70cm) by R Gordon Brown, showing 3 perspective drawings of the University of Edinburgh Old College quadrangle, and 2 plans of the quadrangle surface. The drawings are in pencil and watercolour.

Dates: 1949

University of Edinburgh, King's Buildings 3 additional glasshouses - possible location, 1963

 File
Identifier: PJM/PJMA/EUD/D/5.15
Scope and Contents

1 copy of a hand-drawn topographic site-plan (28cm x 39cm) by Percy Johnson-Marshall & Associates showing the possible location for some additional glass-houses at the University of Edinburgh King's Buildings. The plan is at 1:500 scale.

Dates: 1963

University of Edinburgh, King's Buildings 33kv substation at Mayfield Road, c1955

 File
Identifier: PJM/PJMA/EUD/D/5.14
Scope and Contents

1 copy of an architectural plan (51cm x 65cm) showing the 33kv substation at the University of Edinburgh King's Buildings. The plan is at 1/8" to 1' scale and has been hand coloured with some additions.

Dates: c1955

University of Edinburgh, King's Buildings common room extension, 1963

 File
Identifier: PJM/PJMA/EUD/D/5.12
Scope and Contents

2 copy architectural plans (69cm x 70cm) by the University of Edinburgh Works Department showing the proposed extension to the dining room at the University of Edinburgh King's Buildings. There are floor plans, elevations and sections all at 1/8" to 1' scale.

Dates: 1963

University of Edinburgh, King's Buildings Development: animal house extension, 1961

 File
Identifier: PJM/PJMA/EUD/D/5.5.4
Scope and Contents

1 copy of an architectural plan (61cm x 91cm) by the University of Edinburgh Works Department, showing a proposed extension to the animal house at the Department of Zoology, University of Edinburgh King's Buildings. The plan incorporates the floor plan, sections and elevations on one sheet.

Dates: 1961