A collection of liturgies, psalters and hymnals, and works on ceremonial, formed by William Cowan (1852-1929), writer on Scottish liturgies and the early maps and views of Edinburgh. Cowan was an antiquarian and bibliophile and one of the early members of the Edinburgh Bibliographical Society. He was also one of the founders of the Old Edinburgh Club. The collection contains 1,117 volumes and four manuscripts, dating from the 16th to the 20th century, and includes many early Scottish printed books.

Organisation

The books have been catalogued individually and have the shelfmark 'Cwn.'.

Acquisition

The collection was bequeathed by William Cowan and received by the Library in 1929. A number of books from his collection not included in the original bequest were subsequently bought by the Library.

Related collections

The manuscripts are held at MSS.3709-3712. They are described and indexed in volume 2 of the Library's Catalogue of manuscripts.

Cowan also bequeathed over 1,000 books on Scottish history and topography to the Edinburgh Public Library, having been involved in the administration of the Public Library for 30 years.

References

'A Bibliography of the Book of Common Order and Psalm Book of the Church of Scotland', W Cowan, Publications of the Edinburgh Bibliographical Society, 10 (1913), 53-100.