Peter Carmichael (1809-1891) is one of Dundee’s quiet heroes. Largely unknown today, his impact on the textile industry and local community was impressive. Credited with several inventions which enhanced productivity, Carmichael began his career as an engineering apprentice, rising to be manager, then senior partner, of Baxter Brothers by the 1870s. Carmichael’s success was marked by his purchase of the Arthurstone Estate in Perthshire which he renovated and improved. Carmichael’s contribution to the textile industry and consequent prosperity of Dundee is little known,…Continue Reading Peter Carmichael: engineer, inventor & philanthropist
Category: History
Then and now: changing Dundee – Reform Street
The University Archives continues its series looking at the changing face of the City by focusing on Reform Street. The junction of Reform Street and the High Street is one of the most familiar scenes in central Dundee, with the clock on the building of what was H. Samuel, the jeweller, being a well-known meeting…Continue Reading Then and now: changing Dundee – Reform Street
James Hogg at 250: the farmhand who becomes one of Scotland’s greatest storytellers
In a follow up to Dr Daniel Cook’s event celebrating the 250th birthday of James Hogg, Dr Cook, Reader in English recently featured in The Conversation with his article on James Hogg. The article is titled James Hogg at 250: the farmhand who becomes one of Scotland’s greatest storytellers and details his life, career and…Continue Reading James Hogg at 250: the farmhand who becomes one of Scotland’s greatest storytellers
Bandanese Massacre of 1621
This past month Dr Martine Van Ittersum, Senior Lecturer in History took part in an International Roundtable discussion on the Banadanese Massacre of 1621. Dr Ittersum will also be appearing in a series of two programmes written and presented by Billy Kay which celebrate Scotland’s historic links with the Flemish and Dutch people. They aired on…Continue Reading Bandanese Massacre of 1621
Facial Reconstruction breakthrough
Elysia Greenway and Viviana Conti, graduate students from the Forensic Art MSc course at Dundee University, have used special 3D scanners to build up digital versions of skulls discovered during excavations to create lifelike facial reconstructions to reveal what people living in Leith up to seven hundred years ago may have looked like. These will…Continue Reading Facial Reconstruction breakthrough
Then and now: changing Dundee – Belmont
In this post, the first of a series from the University Archives, we look at how parts of the campus and Dundee have changed over the years. We start by looking at the Belmont area of campus, where the Belmont Halls are now. This image taken in 2017 will be familiar to many. Belmont doesn’t…Continue Reading Then and now: changing Dundee – Belmont
Dundee’s Hidden History: City’s underground route revealed
We’re excited to share with you this plan of Dundee’s underground from 1908. Dr Kenneth Baxter from the University Archives explains how this ambitious plan was finally realised in 1908 with funding from the Baxter family, who also donated the money to found University College Dundee. Designed by the then city architect Joseph King, the…Continue Reading Dundee’s Hidden History: City’s underground route revealed
Book Launch – D’Arcy Wentworth Thompson’s Generative Influences
Museum services are excited to announce that they will be hosting an event on today at 7pm to celebrate the new book D’Arcy Thompson’s Influence in Art. This online event will feature illustrated presentations by the book’s editors, Ellen K Levy and Charissa N Terranova. Many of the other authors will also be present to…Continue Reading Book Launch – D’Arcy Wentworth Thompson’s Generative Influences
Rhododendron collection at Dundee
Clare Reaney, Botanical Horticulturalist takes us on a wonderful tour of the Rhododendrons in her cultural story about Dundee’s Botanic Gardens. She explains how to get to the Rhododendrons in the Far East of the garden which is roughly a half an hour walk, taking the visitors through five different phytogeographic areas along the journey….Continue Reading Rhododendron collection at Dundee
In D’Arcy Thompson’s Footsteps
D’Arcy Wentworth Thompson is best known for his ground-breaking book On Growth and Form, which laid the foundations for the science of mathematical biology. However that was just one of his many publications, and Museum Services recently staged a fascinating online event in collaboration with Tufts University in Massachusetts, USA, exploring D’Arcy’s 1895 book A Glossary of…Continue Reading In D’Arcy Thompson’s Footsteps
Dundee’s Wonder Women of Science
Every year, the Dundee Women’s Festival, a city‐wide event, takes place in Dundee, during the first two weeks of March including International Women’s Day on 8th March. This festival is organised by women in the local community and is an established and popular festival. This year is the 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day and…Continue Reading Dundee’s Wonder Women of Science
Suffragette Film Screening
DUSA The Union would like to invite you to a virtual film screening of “Suffragette” to celebrate International Women’s Day on the 7th of March. Follow the link to find out how to attend …Continue Reading Suffragette Film Screening