List of books for the "Famous Scots Series"

This is a list of books published as the "Famous Scots Series" by the Edinburgh publishers, Oliphant, Anderson and Ferrier, from 1896 to 1905. Forty-two of these books were published though least one volume in the series was planned but never published.In some of the early books, e.g. The ‘Blackwood’ Group and Norman Macleod, a list of forthcoming volumes is given at the back. These include a work entitled Jeffrey and the Edinburgh Reviewers by Sir Hugh Gilzean-Reid but this was apparently never published for whatever reason. These books are distinctive for their bright red covers and uniform presentation. They are generally of a quite high scholarly quality.This list was compiled from a number of sources including library catalogues and websites such as Amazon. The authors often had access to biographical material which is no longer available. Two versions of each volume were published. An upmarket version has gilded lettering and motifs on the front cover and has gilt tape as book marker. It is about a quarter of inch longer than the ordinary version which is gilded only on the edge.

Thirty-three of the authors were men and five were women. It appears that all the women were educated at home, presumably by tutors or governesses. Three of the women wrote biographies of Robert Louis Stevenson, namely, Margaret Moyes Black, Rosaline Masson and Eve Blantyre Simpson.

NoTitleAuthorDateNotes1Thomas CarlyleHector C. MacphersonFeb 1896 A biography by Macpherson's son states that "his volume on Carlyle, which appeared in February 1896, was the first of the 'Famous Scots' Series."Hector Macpherson: The Man and his Work, A Memoir by his Son, Hector Macpherson. Edinburgh: W.F. Henderson, 1925, p.312Allan RamsayOliphant SmeatonMarch 1896There is a copy of this book signed by "Daniel K. Campbell" and dated by him "March 1896".3Hugh MillerW. Keith LeaskMarch 18964John KnoxA. Taylor InnesMay 18965Robert BurnsGabriel SetounJun 1896"Gabriel Setoun" is the nom de plume of Thomas Nicoll Hepburn.6The BalladistsJohn GeddieJul 1896;Balladists including:Thomas the Rhymer, Robert Henryson, Lady Wardlaw, Lady Nairne, Lady Anne Barnard, Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, etc.7Richard CameronJohn HerklessOct 18968Sir James Y. SimpsonEve Blantyre SimpsonOct 18969Thomas ChalmersW. Garden BlaikieDec 189610James BoswellW. Keith LeaskDec 189611Tobias SmollettOliphant SmeatonFeb 189712Fletcher of SaltounG.W.T. OmondMar 189713The “Blackwood” GroupSir George DouglasApr 1897This group includes John Wilson, John Galt, D. M. Moir, Susan Ferrier, Michael Scott, and Thomas Hamilton.14Norman Macleod John WellwoodApr 189715Sir Walter ScottGeorge SaintsburyJun 189716Kirkcaldy of GrangeLouis A. BarbéOct 189717Robert FergussonA. B. GrosartJan 189818James ThomsonWilliam BayneJan 189819Mungo ParkT. Banks MaclachlanMar 189820 David HumeHenry CalderwoodFeb 189821William DunbarOliphant SmeatonApr 189822Sir William WallaceA. F. MurisonJun 189823Robert Louis StevensonMargaret Moyes BlackAug 189824Thomas ReidA. Campbell FraserFeb 189825Pollok and AytounRosaline MassonNov 189826Adam SmithHector C. MacphersonFeb 189927Andrew MelvilleWilliam MorisonJul 189928James Frederick FerrierE. S. HaldaneMay? 1899E. S. Haldane's full name is Elizabeth Sanderson Haldane29King Robert the BruceA. F. MurisonJul 189930James HoggSir George DouglasSep 1899Also included are short biographies of the poets Robert Tannahill, William Motherwell, and William Thom31Thomas CampbellJ. Cuthbert HaddenOct 189932George BuchananRobert WallaceDec 1899Completed by J. Campbell Smith.33Sir David Wilkie and the Scots school of paintersEdward PinningtonJan? 1900These include: Allan Ramsay (artist), James Tassie, David Allan, Sir Henry Raeburn, Sir William Allan, Sir Noel Paton etc.34The ErskinesA. R. MacEwenApr 1900They are the brothers: Ebenezer and Ralph Erskine.35Thomas GuthrieOliphant SmeatonMay 190036David LivingstoneT. Banks MaclachlanJan? 190137The Academical GregoriesAgnes Grainger StewartApr 1901These include: John Gregory, James Gregory, William Gregory, etc. The book outlines the lives of twelve Gregories from 1638 to 185838Johnston of WarristonWilliam MorisonMay 190139Henry DrummondJames Y. SimpsonOct 1901The author's father was nephew of his namesake, James Young Simpson, the discoverer of chloroform.40Principal Cairns John CairnsMar 1903John Cairns (1857-1922) was the nephew of Principal Cairns.41Viscount DundeeLouis A. Barbé190342James WattAndrew Carnegie1905The year 1905 is mentioned on page 28 of the book where Carnegie states: "Even in 1905 we have still a far road to travel." No more books in this series were published, as is evidenced by the following report in the New York Times in 1904: "LONDON, Sept. 16. -- Andrew Carnegie has written a little book on James Watt, the great engineer. It will be the concluding volume of the Famous Scots Series, published by Messrs. Oliphant, Anderson Ferrier."THE NEW YORK TIMES. Saturday, 17 September 1904, Section: REVIEW OF BOOKS, Page BR625.

External links Books from the Famous Scots Series in Project Gutenberg

References