Clearing the logjam
Last November, the archive team of the University Library’s Special Collections Division began work on the ‘Logjam’ project. The ‘Logjam’ methodology is based on a survey undertaken back in 2003 to discover the extent…
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Rescued from the Ruins: The Surviving Manuscripts of St Andrews Cathedral
Today, the east end of St Andrews is dominated by the ruins of its former Cathedral. Once the largest building in Scotland, St Andrews Cathedral held the shrine of the nation’s patron saint, was the base for the…
Memories of World War I
As part of the British Home Front week in St Andrews, the University Library’s Special Collections Division is hosting a drop-in session on the morning of Saturday 23 June, where visitors can see surviving original…
160th Anniversary of the University of St Andrews Rugby Club
The 160th Anniversary Celebrations of the University of St Andrews Rugby club takes place this weekend (1-3 June 2018). Alumni and friends of Saints Rugby have been invited back to St Andrews to celebrate this…
Special Collections Teaching 2017-2018 Candlemas Semester
At the University of St Andrews Library we are keen that Special Collections materials are used to support teaching through workshops, seminars and show and tell events. We have had a very busy year, with both class…
Edward Jenner and the smallpox vaccine
On this day, the 14th May, in 1796, the first documented case of cowpox inoculation was carried out by Dr Edward Jenner. This blog looks at Dr Jenner and the development of the smallpox vaccine and public attitudes to…
The history of exams at St Andrews- Part II
Last semester we looked at the former methods of examination and some of the past exam papers. This semester we take a further look at the history of exams at St Andrews, in particular the experiences of 20th century…
Rectors of the University of St Andrews, 1993 to present
Here we conclude our mini-series on Rectors of the University, in this Rectorial installation season, covering the most recent occupants of the role. Donald Findlay QC (1993-99) filled the gap left by the resignation…
Cricketer, Comedians, and Campaigners: Rectors, 1967-1993
This post continues our mini-series on former Rectors of the University of St Andrews. Sir Learie Constantine (1967-70) Son of a sugar plantation worker and grandson of a slave, Constantine trained as a barrister, and…
Rectors of the University of St Andrews, 1938 to 1967
This week sees the installation of a new Rector at the University. The office of Rector is as old as the medieval University but took its present form after it was redefined under the Universities (Scotland) Act of…