Peter Carmichael: engineer, inventor & philanthropist

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

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

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

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