Simpson Collection

In this section
Simpson Collection

The contents represent the working collection of Dr W. Douglas Simpson (1896-1968) who was an authority on castellated architecture, particularly in Scotland. The Collection contains all his works as well as inscribed copies from scholars in the same field.

Keywords

Architecture; archaeology; history; folklore.

Strengths

Dr Simpson spent a lifetime researching into aspects of Scottish history and pre-history; and not only did he write extensively on the subject but he also added substantial annotations to his published works.

Languages

English, some German

Identifier

Sim

Physical Characteristics

The Collection consists of some 250 mostly interleaved and annotated copies of his own very numerous publications and related material, plus c. 150 pamphlets. There are also 5500 glass lantern slides used in his lectures, approx. 1750 postcards, and large-scale plans of buildings, produced in the course of his investigations.

Accumulation Date Range

1920s-1966

Contents Cate Range

Twentieth century

Associated Publications

Hall, A. T., W. Douglas Simpson, Dunollie Castle and the Brooch of Lorne (Aberdeen, Centre for Scottish Studies, U. of Aberdeen, 1991). With a bibliography of W.D. Simpson's publications. Witte, William 'William Douglas Simpson', Aberdeen University Review, 43 (1969-70), 24-27. Milne, John N. 'W. Douglas Simpson', Aberdeen University Review, 41 (1965-66), 269-71. An obituary notice also appears in the Press and Journal for the 10th of October, 1968. Available on Library OPAC or WebPAC

Accrual Status

Closed

Custodial History / Provenance

The death, in 1967, of Dr W. Douglas Simpson (University Librarian, 1926-66) brought the bequest of his personal working library. Later additions to the Collection, also from Dr Simpson's private library, were made in 1992.

Access Control

Closed access -please request. Non-borrowable.