55-469: Rhind Lectures are a series of lectures on archaeological topics. They have been hosted by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland since 1874. The content of the lectures is usually published in journals or expanded into new works by their authors. The name commemorates Alexander Henry Rhind , whose bequest to the society funded this lectureship. Rhind directed that his estate be used for this purpose, once
110-603: A charter from King George II in 1751. In 1780 King George III granted the society apartments in Somerset House , and in 1874 it moved into its present accommodation in Burlington House , Piccadilly. The society was governed by a council of twenty and a president who is ex officio a trustee of the British Museum . In addition, a number of local historical and archaeological societies have adopted
165-482: A degree of ridicule (see below ), and since the mid-19th century the term has tended to be used most commonly in negative or derogatory contexts. Nevertheless, many practising antiquaries continue to claim the title with pride. In recent years, in a scholarly environment in which interdisciplinarity is increasingly encouraged, many of the established antiquarian societies (see below ) have found new roles as facilitators for collaboration between specialists. "Antiquary"
220-537: A lecturer to them; this lecture is called the Buchan Lecture. In addition, the Society hosts the prestigious Rhind Lectures , a series of six lectures, often presented by a single lecturer over a weekend. These allow the lecturer to present their topic in much greater detail and depth than otherwise possible, and are often published. The Rhind lectures began in 1874 after the death of Alexander Rhind who left
275-504: A literary form are organised by topic, and any narrative is short and illustrative, in the form of anecdotes . Major antiquarian Latin writers with surviving works include Varro , Pliny the Elder , Aulus Gellius , and Macrobius . The Roman emperor Claudius published antiquarian works, none of which is extant. Some of Cicero 's treatises, particularly his work on divination , show strong antiquarian interests, but their primary purpose
330-642: A maximum of 25 Honorary Fellows. Admission to the Society is by election , and candidates must be supported by existing Fellows. The names of those seeking admission are then circulated to the whole Fellowship. Elections are held biannually at the Anniversary Meeting (AGM) on St Andrew's Day , 30 November, and in Spring, usually in April. Fundamental to being a candidate for election to the Fellowship
385-698: A wide range of organisations from central government to academic funding bodies such as the Arts & Humanities Research Council . The Society makes written responses to numerous consultations, some jointly with Archaeology Scotland (formerly CSA) and the Scottish Group of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists . The Society worked closely with the Historic Environment Advisory Council for Scotland (HEACS
440-412: Is a focus on the empirical evidence of the past, and is perhaps best encapsulated in the motto adopted by the 18th-century antiquary Sir Richard Colt Hoare , "We speak from facts, not theory." The Oxford English Dictionary first cites " archaeologist " from 1824; this soon took over as the usual term for one major branch of antiquarian activity. "Archaeology", from 1607 onwards, initially meant what
495-838: Is an interest or involvement in Scotland's past. Candidates are advised of the outcome of the election shortly after the ballot. A major part of the Society's programme is support for research into Scotland's past, and there are various grants and awards to assist different kinds of work, from survey and excavation to finds analysis and archival research. The Society also encourages best practice and continued research into Scotland's past through various prizes and awards. The Society hosts monthly lectures, usually between October and May, and generally held in Edinburgh, although some are jointly hosted with other Societies elsewhere in Scotland. The Society can also fund other local Societies to invite
550-417: Is not breathed into it than it enjoyed originally. Facts, dates and names will never please the multitude, unless there is some style and manner to recommend them, and unless some novelty is struck out from their appearance. The best merit of the Society lies in their prints; for their volumes, no mortal will ever touch them but an antiquary. Their Saxon and Danish discoveries are not worth more than monuments of
605-566: Is now seen as " ancient history " generally, with the narrower modern sense first seen in 1837. Today the term "antiquarian" is often used in a pejorative sense, to refer to an excessively narrow focus on factual historical trivia, to the exclusion of a sense of historical context or process. Few today would describe themselves as "antiquaries", but some institutions such as the Society of Antiquaries of London (founded in 1707) retain their historic names. The term "antiquarian bookseller" remains current for dealers in more expensive old books. During
SECTION 10
#1732771836546660-551: Is one of the oldest known catalogues to systematically describe and classify ancient artefacts which were unearthed. Another catalogue was the Chong xiu Xuanhe bogutu ( 重修宣和博古圖 ) or "Revised Illustrated Catalogue of Xuanhe Profoundly Learned Antiquity" (compiled from 1111 to 1125), commissioned by Emperor Huizong of Song (r. 1100–1125), and also featured illustrations of some 840 vessels and rubbings. Interests in antiquarian studies of ancient inscriptions and artefacts waned after
715-474: Is the exploration of philosophical questions. Roman-era Greek writers also dealt with antiquarian material, such as Plutarch in his Roman Questions and the Deipnosophistae of Athenaeus . The aim of Latin antiquarian works is to collect a great number of possible explanations, with less emphasis on arriving at a truth than in compiling the evidence. The antiquarians are often used as sources by
770-639: Is the senior antiquarian body of Scotland , with its headquarters in the National Museum of Scotland , Chambers Street, Edinburgh . The Society's aim is to promote the cultural heritage of Scotland. The usual style of post-nominal letters for fellows is FSAScot . The Society is the oldest antiquarian society in Scotland, and the second-oldest in Britain after the Society of Antiquaries of London . Founded by David Erskine, 11th Earl of Buchan on 18 December 1780, John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute ,
825-745: The " Quarrel of the Ancients and the Moderns " in England and France, the antiquaries were firmly on the side of the "Moderns". They increasingly argued that empirical primary evidence could be used to refine and challenge the received interpretations of history handed down from literary authorities. By the end of the 19th century, antiquarianism had diverged into a number of more specialised academic disciplines including archaeology , art history , numismatics , sigillography , philology , literary studies and diplomatics . Antiquaries had always attracted
880-490: The Hottentots ; and for Roman remains in Britain, they are upon a foot with what ideas we should get of Inigo Jones , if somebody was to publish views of huts and houses that our officers run up at Senegal and Goree . Bishop Lyttelton used to torment me with barrows and Roman camps, and I would as soon have attended to the turf graves in our churchyards. I have no curiosity to know how awkward and clumsy men have been in
935-477: The Song dynasty (960–1279), the scholar Ouyang Xiu (1007–1072) analyzed alleged ancient artefacts bearing archaic inscriptions in bronze and stone , which he preserved in a collection of some 400 rubbings . Patricia Ebrey writes that Ouyang pioneered early ideas in epigraphy . The Kaogutu ( 考古圖 ) or "Illustrated Catalogue of Examined Antiquity" (preface dated 1092) compiled by Lü Dalin ( 呂大臨 ) (1046–1092)
990-418: The 20th century. C. R. Cheney , writing in 1956, observed that "[a]t the present day we have reached such a pass that the word 'antiquary' is not always held in high esteem, while 'antiquarianism' is almost a term of abuse". Arnaldo Momigliano in 1990 defined an antiquarian as "the type of man who is interested in historical facts without being interested in history". Professional historians still often use
1045-801: The Period of the Teutonic Migrations Professor Gerard Baldwin Brown 35 1911 The Records of Scotland J Maitland Thomson, LLD 36 1912 The Early Chronicles relating to Scotland Rt Hon Sir Herbert Maxwell, Bart., President of the Society 37 1913 Some aspects of Scottish Feudalism Dr George Neilson 38 1913 The Development of writing and printing in Western Europe Dr W K Dickson 39 1914 The Liturgy and Ceremonial of The Mediaeval Church in Scotland Mr F C Eeles 40 1915 Medals of
1100-657: The Renaissance Mr George Francis Hill , Keeper of Coins & Medals, British Museum 41 1916 Celtic Place-Names in Scotland Professor W J Watson, LLD 42 1917 Arms and Armour Mr Charles J. ffoulkes , Curator of the Royal Armouries , Tower of London 43 1918 The Prehistoric Monuments of Scotland Mr A O Curle 44 1919 House Furnishing and Domestic Life in Scotland 1488–1688 Mr John Warrack 45 1920 Painting in
1155-855: The Renaissance Mr Eric Maclagan, director, V & A Museum 52 1927 Roman Britain Sir George Macdonald, KCB FBA LLD 53 1928 The Ancient Connections between Scotland and Norway Professor A W Brøgger 54 1929 The History of the Brooch Mr Reginald A Smith , BA FSA 55 1930 The Hittites Professor Garstang 56 1931 Monastic Life and its influence on the Civilisation of Scotland Mr George Gordon Coulton, Litt D DLitt LLD FBA 57 1932 The Megalithic Culture of Northern Europe Dr C A Nordman, Helsingfors 58 1933 English Illumination from AD 700 to
SECTION 20
#17327718365461210-725: The Roman Empire (from the last century of the Republic to about 800 AD) Mrs Arthur (Eugénie) Strong , British School at Rome 46 1921 Egyptian Science Professor W M Flinders Petrie 47 1922 Monastic Building in Britain Mr C R Peers 48 1923 The Civilisation of Greece in the Bronze Age Dr H R Hall 49 1924 Early Races of Scotland Professor Thomas H Bryce 50 1925 The Mediaeval Castle in Scotland Mr W M Mackenzie, Secretary RCAHMS 51 1926 Italian Sculpture of
1265-525: The Romans as the "systematic collections of all the relics of the past" faded. Antiquarianism's wider flowering is more generally associated with the Renaissance , and with the critical assessment and questioning of classical texts undertaken in that period by humanist scholars. Textual criticism soon broadened into an awareness of the supplementary perspectives on the past which could be offered by
1320-487: The Society developed a sizeable collection. In November 1851 the signing of a Deed of Conveyance with the Board of Manufactures on behalf of Parliament made the Society collections National Property. In 1891 the antiquaries moved into the purpose-built Scottish National Portrait Gallery and National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland , located on Queen Street. The National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland Act 1954 transferred
1375-471: The Society have, since 1823, been known as Fellows of the Society. There are now thousands of Fellows spread across the globe, including Honorary Fellows elected for their outstanding scholarship. Fellowship recognises a person's support and contributions to the purpose and mission of the Society, and Fellows are permitted to use the post-nominals FSAScot (NB Not FSA (Scot) or similar). The Society has an international membership of around 2800 Fellows and
1430-531: The Society shall be the study of the Antiquities and History of Scotland, more especially by means of Archaeological Research. The Society today is concerned with every aspect of the human past in Scotland. It draws on a wide range of experience through the Fellowship , and provides a voice for Scotland's heritage independent of the opinions of Government, University, or Agency. The Society is consulted by
1485-521: The Society: Antiquarian An antiquarian or antiquary (from Latin antiquarius 'pertaining to ancient times') is an aficionado or student of antiquities or things of the past. More specifically, the term is used for those who study history with particular attention to ancient artefacts , archaeological and historic sites , or historic archives and manuscripts . The essence of antiquarianism
1540-586: The Song dynasty, but were revived by early Qing dynasty (1644–1912) scholars such as Gu Yanwu (1613–1682) and Yan Ruoju (1636–1704). In ancient Rome , a strong sense of traditionalism motivated an interest in studying and recording the "monuments" of the past; the Augustan historian Livy uses the Latin monumenta in the sense of "antiquarian matters." Books on antiquarian topics covered such subjects as
1595-774: The University of Edinburgh 28 1904 Roman Scotland George Macdonald , MA 29 1905 Roman Britain Dr F Haverfield , MA LLD 30 1906 The Archaeology of the Cuneiform Inscriptions Professor Archibald Sayce 31 1907 Roman Britain Dr F Haverfield, MA LLD 32 1908 The Roman Station at Newstead Mr James Curle 33 1909 The Occupation and use of the land in Scotland in Early Times Dr David Murray 34 1910 Art of
1650-523: The ancient historians, and many antiquarian writers are known only through these citations. Despite the importance of antiquarian writing in the literature of ancient Rome , some scholars view antiquarianism as emerging only in the Middle Ages . Medieval antiquarians sometimes made collections of inscriptions or records of monuments, but the Varro-inspired concept of antiquitates among
1705-549: The antiquaries' interests, was nonetheless emphatic in his insistence that the study of cultural relics should be selective and informed by taste and aesthetics . He deplored the more comprehensive and eclectic approach of the Society of Antiquaries, and their interest in the primitive past. In 1778 he wrote: The antiquaries will be as ridiculous as they used to be; and since it is impossible to infuse taste into them, they will be as dry and dull as their predecessors. One may revive what perished, but it will perish again, if more life
Rhind Lectures - Misplaced Pages Continue
1760-1274: The better for being mouldy and worme-eaten"), in Jean-Siméon Chardin 's painting Le Singe Antiquaire ( c. 1726 ), in Sir Walter Scott 's novel The Antiquary (1816), in the caricatures of Thomas Rowlandson , and in many other places. The New Dictionary of the Terms Ancient and Modern of the Canting Crew of c. 1698 defines an antiquary as "A curious critic in old Coins, Stones and Inscriptions, in Worm-eaten Records and ancient Manuscripts, also one that affects and blindly dotes, on Relics, Ruins, old Customs Phrases and Fashions". In his "Epigrams", John Donne wrote of The Antiquary: "If in his study he hath so much care To hang all old strange things Let his wife beware." The word's resonances were close to those of modern terms for individuals with obsessive interests in technical minutiae, such as nerd , trainspotter or anorak . The connoisseur Horace Walpole , who shared many of
1815-568: The costumes or material culture of past eras, but who are perceived to lack much understanding of the cultural values and historical contexts of the periods in question. A College (or Society) of Antiquaries was founded in London in c. 1586 , to debate matters of antiquarian interest. Members included William Camden , Sir Robert Cotton , John Stow , William Lambarde , Richard Carew and others. This body existed until 1604, when it fell under suspicion of being political in its aims, and
1870-477: The dawn of arts or in their decay. In his essay "On the Uses and Abuses of History for Life" from his Untimely Meditations , philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche examines three forms of history . One of these is "antiquarian history", an objectivising historicism which forges little or no creative connection between past and present. Nietzsche's philosophy of history had a significant impact on critical history in
1925-1094: The end of the Fifteenth Century Mr Eric G Millar, DLitt 59 1934 Augustan Civilisation in Western Europe Mr Ian A Richmond 60 1935 Early Anglo Saxon Art and Archaeology Mr E T Leeds, Keeper of the Ashmolean Museum 61 1936 The Archaeology of the Iberian Peninsula Professor P Bosch Gimpera 62 1937 Mediaeval Edinburgh Dr C A Malcolm 63 1938 Excavations at Ras Shamra Monsieur Claude Shaeffer 64 1939 Early Art of Scandinavia Professor Haakon Shetelig 1940 Postponed (delivered in April 1942) 65 1941 The Province of Mar Dr W Douglas Simpson 66 1942 Jurisdictions of Mediaeval Scotland Dr W C Dickinson 67 1943 The Topography of Roman Scotland Mr O G S Crawford, FSA Society of Antiquaries of Scotland The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
1980-442: The evidential value for their researches of non-textual sources, including seals and church monuments . Many early modern antiquaries were also chorographers : that is to say, they recorded landscapes and monuments within regional or national descriptions. In England, some of the most important of these took the form of county histories . In the context of the 17th-century scientific revolution , and more specifically that of
2035-546: The former prime minister , was elected the first President. It was incorporated by Royal Charter in 1783, in the same year as the Royal Society of Edinburgh , and in their early years both societies shared accommodation on George Street and in the Royal Institution building on The Mound . Members of the Society collected artefacts of interest to Scottish history and culture from its foundation, and soon
2090-469: The historian were those of the philosophical and literary reinterpretation of received narratives. Jan Broadway defines an antiquary as "someone who studied the past on a thematic rather than a chronological basis". Francis Bacon in 1605 described readings of the past based on antiquities (which he defined as "Monuments, Names, Wordes, Proverbes, Traditions, Private Recordes, and Evidences, Fragments of stories, Passages of Bookes, that concerne not storie, and
2145-444: The interests of living parties were extinguished, which took place 11 years after his death in 1863. The speaker and subject are selected some three years in advance, allowing the speaker to give a detailed exposition of a topic in their area of expertise. The Rhind Lectures have continued into the 21st century, and since 2009 the society has published a video file that is freely available to the public. The total number of lectures in
2200-422: The like") as "unperfect Histories". Such distinctions began to be eroded in the second half of the 19th century as the school of empirical source-based history championed by Leopold von Ranke began to find widespread acceptance, and today's historians employ the full range of techniques pioneered by the early antiquaries. Rosemary Sweet suggests that 18th-century antiquaries ... probably had more in common with
2255-439: The origin of customs, religious rituals , and political institutions ; genealogy ; topography and landmarks; and etymology . Annals and histories might also include sections pertaining to these subjects, but annals are chronological in structure, and Roman histories , such as those of Livy and Tacitus , are both chronological and offer an overarching narrative and interpretation of events. By contrast, antiquarian works as
Rhind Lectures - Misplaced Pages Continue
2310-623: The powers and duties relating to the Museum, previously vested in the Society of Antiquaries and the National Galleries, to a new Board. The Society is now an independent not-for-profit charity registered in Scotland ( SC010440 ). Alexander Rhind left a bequest to the Society to fund a lecture series, the Rhind Lectures are still hosted by the Society; an online recording of these prestigious lectures has been made available to
2365-502: The professional historian of the twenty-first century, in terms of methodology, approach to sources and the struggle to reconcile erudition with style, than did the authors of the grand narratives of national history. In many European languages, the word antiquarian (or its equivalent) has shifted in modern times to refer to a person who either trades in or collects rare and ancient antiquarian books ; or who trades in or collects antique objects more generally. In English, however, although
2420-444: The public since 2009. The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland is a charitable organisation whose purpose is set out in its Royal Charter from 1783: …a Society to investigate both antiquities and natural and civil history in general, with the intention that the talents of mankind should be cultivated and that the study of natural and useful sciences should be promoted. The first Law of the Society focuses this further: The purpose of
2475-424: The residue of his estate to endow a lectureship in the Society and there have now been over 130 lectures and many have become the published textbook for a generation. The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland has three main publishing outputs: There is also a regular Society Newsletter ( ISSN 0960-703X ), and the Society publishes book reviews on their website . The following have served as presidents of
2530-692: The series in 2012 was 133. The following is a list of all lecturers to 2012, with the title of their lectures where known. 24 1900 The Edwards in Scotland, 1296–1377 Joseph Bain, FSA Scot 25 1901 The Constitution, Organisation, and Law of the Mediaeval Church in Scotland Bishop Dowden 26 1902 Castellated architecture of Scotland Thomas Ross 27 1903 Scotland in the Time of Queen Mary P Hume Brown , MA LLD., Fraser Professor of Ancient (Scottish) History and Palaeography in
2585-462: The study of coins , inscriptions and other archaeological remains, as well as documents from medieval periods. Antiquaries often formed collections of these and other objects; cabinet of curiosities is a general term for early collections, which often encompassed antiquities and more recent art, items of natural history, memorabilia and items from far-away lands. The importance placed on lineage in early modern Europe meant that antiquarianism
2640-414: The term "antiquarian" in a pejorative sense, to refer to historical studies which seem concerned only to place on record trivial or inconsequential facts, and which fail to consider the wider implications of these, or to formulate any kind of argument. The term is also sometimes applied to the activities of amateur historians such as historical reenactors , who may have a meticulous approach to reconstructing
2695-575: The terms "antiquarian book" and "antiquarian bookseller" are widely used, the nouns "antiquarian" and "antiquary" very rarely carry this sense. An antiquarian is primarily a student of ancient books, documents, artefacts or monuments. Many antiquarians have also built up extensive personal collections in order to inform their studies, but a far greater number have not; and conversely many collectors of books or antiques would not regard themselves (or be regarded) as antiquarians. Antiquaries often appeared to possess an unwholesome interest in death, decay, and
2750-545: The unfashionable, while their focus on obscure and arcane details meant that they seemed to lack an awareness both of the realities and practicalities of modern life, and of the wider currents of history. For all these reasons they frequently became objects of ridicule. The antiquary was satirised in John Earle 's Micro-cosmographie of 1628 ("Hee is one that hath that unnaturall disease to bee enamour'd of old age, and wrinkles, and loves all things (as Dutchmen doe Cheese)
2805-484: Was abolished by King James I . Papers read at their meetings are preserved in Cotton's collections , and were printed by Thomas Hearne in 1720 under the title A Collection of Curious Discourses , a second edition appearing in 1771. In 1707 a number of English antiquaries began to hold regular meetings for the discussion of their hobby and in 1717 the Society of Antiquaries was formally reconstituted, finally receiving
SECTION 50
#17327718365462860-659: Was abolished by the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 as part of the Scottish Government's policy to simplify the landscape of public bodies), and gave evidence to their working groups on heritage protection legislation and properties in care. The Society has also been actively involved in the Built Environment Forum Scotland , an umbrella body for NGOs in the built and historic environment sectors. Members of
2915-464: Was often closely associated with genealogy , and a number of prominent antiquaries (including Robert Glover , William Camden , William Dugdale and Elias Ashmole ) held office as professional heralds . The development of genealogy as a " scientific " discipline (i.e. one that rejected unsubstantiated legends, and demanded high standards of proof for its claims) went hand-in-hand with the development of antiquarianism. Genealogical antiquaries recognised
2970-456: Was perceived to exist between the interests and activities of the antiquary and the historian . The antiquary was concerned with the relics of the past (whether documents , artefacts or monuments ), whereas the historian was concerned with the narrative of the past, and its political or moral lessons for the present. The skills of the antiquary tended to be those of the critical examination and interrogation of his sources, whereas those of
3025-460: Was the usual term in English from the 16th to the mid-18th centuries to describe a person interested in antiquities (the word "antiquarian" being generally found only in an adjectival sense). From the second half of the 18th century, however, "antiquarian" began to be used more widely as a noun, and today both forms are equally acceptable. From the 16th to the 19th centuries, a clear distinction
#545454