A collection of over 800 books, pamphlets and periodical issues, which deal mainly with North America, they reflect the personal interest of Tom Henderson (1880-1941), broadcaster, writer and educationalist, in American history and in the American Civil War in particular. The books are mostly first editions which date almost exclusively from the late 19th and the early 20th century. Henderson worked as a teacher in Dumfries and Lanarkshire, becoming editor of the 'Scottish Educational Journal', then, in 1925, he was appointed general secretary of the Educational Institute of Scotland, the largest teachers' trade union in Scotland.

Organisation

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

Acquisition

After Tom Henderson's death his collection of American books was presented to the Educational Institute by his widow. In 1976 the National Library acquired by donation the libraries of the Educational Institute for Scotland, including the Henderson Memorial Library.

References

'Catalogue of the Henderson Memorial Library of Books on America', Edinburgh, 1947.

'The Henderson Memorial Library at the National Library of Scotland', K Halliwell, American Studies Library Newsletter, 41 (1996), 3-4.