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 date 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.