Skip to main content

Corson Collection

 Collection
Identifier: Coll-1022

Scope and Contents

The Corson Collection consists of materials assembled by James Clarkson Corson (1905-1988), Deputy Librarian of Edinburgh University and Honorary Librarian of Abbotsford.

It is comprised of two sub-divisions. The first consists of materials related to Sir Walter Scott, including manuscripts, artworks, realia, memorabilia, press-cuttings, and critical materials, which were purposely collected by Corson to complement his extensive collection of printed works by or about Scott.

The second consists of Corson’s own papers. Most of these are connected to Corson’s published and unpublished research on Sir Walter Scott. There are also, however, papers relating to his role as Honorary Librarian of Abbotsford (1952-1988), some personal and family papers, and the papers of critic and broadcaster William Saunders, for whom Corson appears to have acted as literary executor.

Dates

  • Creation: 18th-20th century

Creator

Extent

52 linear metres

Arrangement

The collection exhibited very little sense of high-level original order so this has been imposed, based on Corson's key areas of activity and any obvious subdivisions within the material itself. Lower level original order has been retained as far as possible.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Acquired 1975 from James Clarkson Corson.

Related Materials

James Clarkson Corson’s collection of 6,800 printed works by or about Scott is entered on Edinburgh University Library’s Main Catalogue with the shelfmark prefix 'Corson'.

Special Collections also holds two other collections related to Sir Walter Scott:

Title
Corson Collection, 18th-20th century
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections Repository

Contact:
Centre for Research Collections
University of Edinburgh Main Library
George Square
Edinburgh EH8 9LJ Scotland
+44(0)131 650 8379