School of History, Classics & Archaeology

'A Hot-bed of Genius' exhibition opens

A student from the School of History, Classics and Archaeology is behind an exhibition to mark the 300th anniversary of the appointment of a Professor of History at the University of Edinburgh.

HCA Gala Albas
Gala Albas

Coinciding with the 300-year anniversary of the appointment of Charles Mackie, in 1719, the first Professor of Universal History at Edinburgh, and the International Society for Eighteenth Century Studies conference in July, the School has collaborated with the Centre for Research Collections to produce an exhibit showcasing the best and most interesting material on the Scottish Enlightenment held in the Main Library.

Materials for the exhibit were researched and selected by Gala Albas (a 4th year Social Anthropology with Social History student), as part of her internship. Gala also wrote the accompanying text, with input from Kirsty MacNab (Exhibitions Officer, Centre for Research Collections), Professor Thomas Ahnert (HCA) and Dr Esther Mijers (HCA).

Gala says about her experience: It has been a fantastic opportunity to research such an important part of the university's history and work with the original material of some of the greatest thinkers of the time.'

'A Hot-bed of Genius' is on display until mid-August in the Main Library on the 6th floor at the Centre for Research Collections, Binks Trust Display Wall.