University History
Resources for researchers investigating the history of the University of Edinburgh, including historic alumni.
Our History
Our History is a growing online history of the University, drawing particularly on information held in our collections. This should be the first port of call for research into the University's history.
This includes a growing bibliography of published sources, some of which are available online.
UncoverED - A collaborative decolonial research project.
UncoverEd is a collaborative and decolonising research project, funded by Edinburgh Global, which aims to situate the ‘global’ status of the University of Edinburgh in its rightful imperial and colonial context. Led by PhD candidates Henry Dee and Tom Cunningham, the team of eight student researchers are creating a database of students from Africa, the Caribbean, Asia and the Americas from as early as 1700, and writing social histories of the marginalised student experience. The aim was to produce at least one biography each of a ‘notable’ alumnus, leading up to a website and exhibition in January 2019. The project encourages the University of Edinburgh’s community to reflect on its imperial past and how it played a part in Edinburgh’s status as a ‘global’ university.
Alumni - Databases
Alumni database A searchable list of students attending the University, New College and the Dick Veterinary College. Please note it is not comprehensive - the webpage provides details of subjects and years covered.
Alumni - Digitised Sources
University of Edinburgh Calendars (1858-1920) The calendars include details of the curricula and senior staff at the University.
Catalogue of Arts, Divinity & Law graduates, 1587-1858
Earliest laureation album, 1587-1809 (low quality images, but can search by year)
Earliest laureation album, 1587-1809 (high quality images)
Earliest matriculation album, 1627-1703
Second matriculation album, 1704-1762
List of graduates in Medicine, 1705-1866
Alphabetical list of graduates, 1859-1888
Alumni - Research Guides
These Research Guides provide some contextual information on the history of the University of Edinburgh. They list the Centre for Research Collection (CRC)’s main archival sources for researching historical alumni and outlines their access conditions.
Alumni - Divinity Resources
Ministers of all Scottish Presbyterian denominations (best place to start, especially for Free Church)
Church of Scotland ministers, 1560-1929:
Merse, Teviotdale, Dumfires & Galloway
Highlands, England, Ireland & Overseas
United Presbyterian Church ministers (vol 1)
United Presbyterian Church ministers (vol 2)
More United Presbyterian Church ministers (Theology students listed p.652 onwards)
Early Library Records
This Research Guide looks at the early catalogues and acquisition records, explaining content, inter-connection and some basic analysis, as well as giving some background context to them
