The University
of Edinburgh, Scotland's premier university,
was founded in 1582. At the heart of one of the most
vibrant and cosmopolitan capital cities in Europe, it
is today one of the world’s leading universities.
In the last UK
University Research Exercise, Edinburgh was recognised
as the most outstanding Scottish university and among
the best in Britain, its departments of English Literature
and History ranking among the top three in those subject
areas in the United Kingdom.
Edinburgh
is also home to two world-class libraries. Major manuscript
and printed collections relating to the History of the
Book are held by Edinburgh University Library and the
National Library of Scotland. One of five copyright
libraries in the UK, the National Library also holds
the world’s largest collection of publishing archives
and one of the most important collections for the study
of bibliography in Europe.
The City’s longstanding
connection with the book trade has left it with a wealth
of archival riches. Among the historically important
firms represented are the publishing papers of Blackwood,
Chambers, Archibald Constable, Charles Elliot, John
Murray, Smith & Elder, Thomas Nelson, Oliver &
Boyd, and many more.
Edinburgh
was designated UNESCO's first World City of Literature,
and is host to the world's largest arts festival.
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