Andersonian Museum, Glasgow

Anderson's College, Glasgow

Anderson's University, Glasgow

The Andersonian Museum developed out of the collection of scientific apparatus and natural history specimens collected by John Anderson and bequeathed by him to Anderson's University, in 1796. This formed the nucleus of the Museum's collections to which were added other specimens illustrative of local natural history.

The museum building was designed by James Smith, of Jordanhill, President of the University.

In 1856, one of the museum's benefactors, William Euing, proposed the building of an extension to the museum. The plans were prepared by J.T. Rochead, a distinguished architect and trustee. Money was raised with the help of Euing and his friends, and the final refitting of the cupola and reordering of the museum was in progress by November 1862.

The Museum no longer exists.

The aim of the museum was to provide a general collection in which every department of natural history was represented and each specimen named so that the student, by aid of the catalogue, could become his own teacher. It was considered that natural history was the area best calculated to promote a taste for science. The mid-nineteenth century was a period of remarkable expansion, and the museum attracted many donations from trustees, students, teachers, and others. There was a fine collection of stuffed birds, and the collection of coins, antiquities, and other curiosities was extensive and valuable. The designer of the museum's building, James Smith also donated coins and medals, Thomas Eddington II presented mineral specimens, animals and birds. The gallery devoted to birds included 2,000 specimens bought from Joseph Sabine, and in 1860, Professor Robert Hunter gave the museum a thousand anatomical specimens on the occasion of his retirement. Specimens also came from the British Association for the Advancement of Science (collection of fossils and minerals), the Glasgow Dilettanti Society (its collection of models on permanent loan), Dr James Couper (1150 mineral specimens, 500 foreign shells, 140 British shells), the Lord Commissioners of the Treasury (a group of Roman, Anglo-Saxon, and ancient Scottish coins discovered in 1851), and James Scouller (Natural History specimens).

The Museum was a significant educational resource supporting the Andersonian's teaching, but was also a place for visitors on Wednesdays and Saturdays and on public holidays. Soirees were held in the 1830's to attract support and donations, but entrance charges brought in a significant income. Admission was free to students of the university.

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List of sources for the administrative information:

Butt, J., John Anderson's Legacy: The University of Strathclyde and its antecedents, (East Linton, Tuckwell Press Ltd, 1996)

Authority record created according to the National Council on ArchivesRules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names (NCA Rules)1997 and International Council on Archives: Ad Hoc Committee on Descriptive StandardsInternational Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families (ISAAR)CPF1995.

Corporate name authority record compiled for the GASHE project by John O'Brien, Archive Assistant, 21 August 2002