People

Commemorative plaques

We erect commemorative plaques around the University to celebrate the achievements of individuals who have been associated with us throughout our 400-year history.

Robert Adam

Adam plaque
Architect, creator of the University's Old College building, alumnus.

Charles Glover Barkla

barkla plaque
Nobel Prize physicist, Chair in Natural Philosophy.

James Miranda Barry

Barry plaque
Pioneering British Army surgeon, first female graduate of the University.

Max Born

Born plaque
Nobel Prize physicist, Tait Professor of Natural Philosophy.

James Boswell

Boswell plaque
Lawyer, diarist, author, biographer of Dr Samuel Johnson.

Thomas Carlyle

Carlyle plaque
Historian, author of 'The French Revolution', University Rector, alumnus.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Conan Doyle plaque
Author of Sherlock Holmes series of novels and stories, physician, alumnus.

William Dick

Dick plaque
Pioneer of veterinary science and education, founder of the Royal Dick Veterinary School.

Sir Patrick Geddes

Geddes plaque
Biologist, sociologist, planner, founder of the first Scottish university student residence.

Peter Ware Higgs

Higgs plaque
Nobel Prize physicist, Emeritus Professor of Theoretical Physics.

David Hume

Hume plaque
Philosopher, historian, author of 'A Treatise of Human Nature', alumnus.

James Hutton

Hutton plaques
Geologist, chemist, naturalist, founder of modern geology, alumnus.

Elsie Maud Inglis

Inglis plaque
Founder of Scottish Women's Suffrage Federation and Scottish Women's Hospitals, alumna.

Sophia Jex-Blake

Jex Blake plaque
Physician, pioneer of medical education for women in Britain, alumna.

Baroness Jennie Lee

Lee plaques
One of the first female Members of Parliament, founder of the Open University, alumna.

Eric Liddell

Eric Liddell
Olympic 400 metre champion, teacher, missionary, alumnus.

Lord Joseph Lister

Lister plaque
Founder of antiseptic medicine and aseptic surgery, Regius Professor of Clinical Surgery.

Clement Litil

Litil plaque
Advocate of a University in the city, benefactor and founder of the University's Library.

James Lorimer

Lorimer plaque
Jurist, philosopher, Regius Professor of Public Law, alumnus.

Sorley Maclean

Maclean plaque
Gaelic poet, teacher, Writer in Residence, honorary Doctor of Letters, alumnus.

Jessie Chrystal Macmillan

Macmillan plaque
Suffragist, founder of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, first female science alumna.

William McEwan

Mcewan plaque
Founder of McEwan's Brewery, Member of Parliament for Edinburgh, major benefactor of the University.

Julius Kambarage Nyerere

Nyerere plaque
African statesman, first President of Tanzania, alumnus.

William Henry Playfair

Playfair plaque
Architect of the University's Old College and New College buildings.

General John Reid

Reid plaque
British Army officer, flautist, composer, his benefaction established a Chair of Music.

Peter Mark Roget

Roget plaque
Physician, philologist, author of the Thesaurus of English Words & Phrases, alumnus.

Robert Rollock

Rollock plaque
First Regent and first Principal of the University.

Benjamin Rush

Rush plaque
Signatory of the American Declaration of Independence, physician, alumnus.

Sir Walter Scott

Scott plaque
Prolific novelist, poet, historian, lawyer and alumnus.

Sir Robert Sibbald

Sibbald plaque
Professor of Medicine, founder of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, alumnus.

James Young Simpson

Simpson plaque
Pioneer of anaesthetics, Professor of Midwifery, alumnus.

Robert Louis Stevenson

Stevenson plaque
Poet, author of Treasure Island, Kidnapped, Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde, alumnus.

Sir Charles Wyville Thomson

Thomson plaque
Challenger expedition leader, Professor of Natural History, alumnus.

Sir Godfrey Thomson

Thomson Godrey plaque
Authority on intelligence testing, Bell Professor of Education, alumnus.

Elizabeth Wiskemann

Journalist, war-hero, first female professor.