Papers of the Trustees of the estate of William Richardson, 1743-1814, Professor of Humanity, University of Glasgow, Scotland 1773-1814

The collection does not contain any material written by William Richardson but the papers of the trustees of his estate following his death.

• Title deeds, 1613-1811;
• Trustees papers, 1814-1825.

William Richardson was born at the Manse in Aberfoyle, Stirling, Scotland, on 1 October 1743, the first son of the Rev. James Richardson. He received his MA from the University of Glasgow, Scotland, in 1763, and attended a few sessions in Divinity before abandoning the idea of entering the Church. For four years he was tutor to the sons of Lord Cathcart and then secretary to His Lordship while Ambassador at St Petersburg. He became Professor of Humanity at the University of Glasgow in 1773, a post he held until 1814. His published writings include the following: Poems; Analyses of Shakespeare's characters; a tragedy; a lyrical drama; Anecdotes of the Russian Empire; contributions to The Lounger, The Mirror, and The Edinburgh Magazine and Review; and an essay on Celtic Superstition. He died unmarried on 3 November 1814.

The papers are those of his Trustees collected to administer his estate after his death.

Source: Dictionary of National Biography and University records

The collection is arranged chronologically

Access to records within this collection is open, however an appointment may be required. Please email Archives and Special Collections for advice: library-asc@glasgow.ac.uk

Acquired prior to the introduction of formal accessioning procedures

See also University of Glasgow Collections

Digital file level list available in searchroom

Manual file level list available at the National Registers of Archives in Edinburgh (NRA(S)1027)

No known copies

Reproduction subject to usual conditions: educational use and condition of documents. Applications for permission to quote should be sent to Archives and Special Collections, please email: library-asc@glasgow.ac.uk

This material has been appraised in line with standard GB 248 procedures

The papers have been in the University since at least the 1960s

None expected

Material in other repositories;

GB 247 MS Gen 520 Glasgow University Library, Special Collections Department Letters to Samuel Rose 1786-1800

GB 233 Adv MSS 22 4 13, 17 National Library of Scotland, Manuscripts Division, 1802-14: letters to Robert Anderson

This material is original