Art, Literature and Performing Arts
We have outstanding collections relating to Art, Literature and the Performing Arts. This page presents some highlights and links to discover more of our collections.
Collections relating to artists of national and international significance, including William Blake (1757-1827), James McNeill Whistler (1834-1903), James Paterson (1854-1932) and Jessie M King (1875-1949).
The Dougan collection contains some of the earliest photographic material in the world, including work from the 1840s by the pioneering Scottish partnership of D O Hill and Robert Adamson.
The Stoddard-Templeton collection (1840s-1990s) includes the Design Archive of two of Scotland’s most influential carpet designers and manufacturers.
The Printed Art Archive includes critical works on late 19th and early 20th century art.
See also subject guides for Art and Photography.
Collections relating to writers of national and international significance including Edwin Morgan (1920-2010), Alasdair Gray (b 1934) and Jane Duncan (1910-1976).
Collections relating to Glasgow publishers including William Collins, Sons and Co Ltd and Blackie and Son Ltd.
Other collection strengths include Gaelic manuscripts, Victorian Novels and Scottish Poetry.
See also subject guides for Languages and Literature and Printing and Publishing.
The Scottish Theatre Archive is extensive and covers traditional and contemporary theatre and performance – music hall, pantomime, dance and drama – from the late 19th century to the present. It includes the archives of the National Theatre of Scotland, Scottish Ballet and the Citizens Theatre.
There is overlap with the collection of bandsman, musical director and writer Henry George Farmer (1882-1965).
The Euing collection includes significant early manuscript and printed music books (scores and theoretical works) and literary works including a copy of Shakespeare’s First Folio (1623).
Collections relating to Scottish composers including Hamish MacCunn (1868-1916) and Learmont Drysdale (1866-1909).
See also subject guides for Music and the Performing Arts, including material relating to Television.