This collection was formed by Joseph Hancock Macadam (1864-1951), President of the Scottish Association of Master Bakers, a trade association founded in 1891. Macadam was born in Edinburgh, possibly the son of John Macadam who was a baker in the city, and worked as a journalist. He eventually became chairman of Maclaren & Sons Ltd., London-based publishers of industrial books and magazines, and publishers of household titles, such as 'The British baker,' which Macadam edited for 55 years. There are 1,619 volumes, which are mainly works on baking and confectionery published during the late 19th and the early 20th century, with many French and German publications.

Organisation

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

Acquisition

The collection was bequeathed by Joseph Macadam and received by the Library in 1951.