A collection of early English plays and some volumes of poetry and devotional works, formed by John Maitland Thomson (1847-1923), advocate and Curator of the Historical Department of the Scottish Record Office (1895-1906). It consists of 101 volumes comprising 156 works; the plays are mostly 17th-century editions, but there are two 16th-century and three 18th-century editions, as well as three incunabula.

Organisation

The collection is part of the Advocates Library 'H.' shelfmark, among the books in the shelfmark range 'H.3.c-H.3.e.'. The incunabula are now part of the Library's Incunabula Collection. The books have been catalogued individually and have a book label recording the donation.

Acquisition

The books were presented to the Advocates Library in 1912 by John Maitland Thomson. Ownership was transferred to the National Library after its foundation in 1925.