1940-1949

The archive of the Royal Zoological Society has been assembled from various locations across the site of Edinburgh Zoo. According to Thomas Gillespie's publication, "The Story of the Edinburgh Zoo", published 1964, much of the early documentation of the society has been lost over time. This is reflected in the collection here. Although official documentation may have been lost over the years, the story of the history of society and Edinburgh Zoo is accessible through this collection.


The focus of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland has always been animals, and that continues with the arrangement of the archive. Records relating to animals are at the very top of the archive structure where information on the import and export of animals, their health, and management, dating from the opening of Edinburgh Zoo in 1913, are kept.


Along with the records of animals are various publications created by the Royal Zoological Society including park guides, magazines, books, and leaflets.