Scottish History Society
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Scottish History Society was founded in the 19th century with the object of discovery and publication, under selected editorship, of unpublished documents illustrative of the civil, religious, and social history of Scotland.
The first publications, in October 1887, were Bishop Pococke's Tours in Scotland, 1747-1760, edited by D W Kemp, and the Diary of and General Expenditure Book of William Cunningham of Craigends, 1673-1680, edited by the Reverend James Dodds, D.D.
The number of members of the society was originally limited to 400, and its Rules provided for a minimum of two volumes of about 320 pages each per annum. Editors receive 20 copies of each volume they edit for the society, and the owners of manuscripts published by the society are also presented with a certain number of copies.
By 1900, 65 Public Libraries subscribed for the society's publications. Amongst some of its notable members have been Sir James Balfour Paul, Lord Lyon King of Arms, and Emeritus Professor David Masson, Historiographer Royal for Scotland, and in 1900 the President was the Earl of Rosebery. In 1970 the President was Professor Gordon Donaldson.
Since its foundation the SHS has produced an increasing number of vital records hitherto unavailable to scholars of Scottish history, and in this the SHS have provided an invaluable service to the nation.
See details on the society published at the back of every published volume.
