WINNER OF THE RESEARCH CATEGORY IN SCOTLAND'S NATIONAL BOOK AWARDS 2023This edition of The Old Red Sandstone is the first truly new one for a century. It comes in two volumes: Volume 2 reprints the original, and now rare, first edition in facsimile with notes and glossary. Volume 1 explores how Miller wrote his book and why it was so important.Ross-shire born polymath Hugh Miller (1802-56), self-taught stonemason, geologist and writer, was famous in his lifetime across the English-speaking world. On one level, The Old Red Sandstone is a description of the geology of Cromarty, Ross-shire, with diversions into its scenery, history and folklore, but it is also an autobiographical memoir and work of literature. It was enormously popular on its first publication in 1841.The editors have combined their expertise – in history, English literature, Celtic languages and culture (Ralph O’ Connor) and palaeontology, museums, history of geology (Michael A Taylor) – to annotate the text of this most idiosyncratic book for a new generation of readers, and to provide a critical study.In a pre-Darwinian era, Hugh Miller reconciled his geological knowledge with his religious beliefs and his reader-friendly writings encouraged in others an interest in fossils. His writings are, as novelist James Robertson says in the Foreword, still very readable and relevant today.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum:2023-06-29
Mått:156 x 234 x 29 mm
Vikt:1 045 g
Format:Häftad
Språk:Engelska
Antal sidor:624
Förlag:NMSE - Publishing Ltd
Medarbetare:James Robertson
ISBN:9781910682258
Utmärkelser:Research Category

Utforska kategorier

Geovetenskap inom Naturvetenskap och teknik

Mer om författaren

Ross-shire-born Hugh Miller (1802-56), self-taught stonemason, geologist and writer, was famous in his lifetime across the English-speaking world. A social commentator and crusader, he also, pre-Darwin, inspired in others an interest in fossils. This two-volume set of books include a facsimile edition of his classic The Old Red Sandstone, first published in 1841.Dr Michael A. Taylor is Research Associate, Department of Natural Sciences, National Museums Scotland, and Visiting Research Fellow, School of Museum Studies, University of Leicester. He is the author of the biography Hugh Miller: Stonemason, Geologist, Writer and he edited the facsimile edition of Hugh Miller's The Cruise of the Betsey with Rambles of a Geologist, both published by NMSE – Publishing.Professor Ralph O' Connor is Professor in the Literature and Culture of Britain, Ireland and Iceland, University of Aberdeen.

Recensioner i media

'A critical study of Hugh Miller’s nineteenth-century geological writings, this two-volume set delivers a great deal of collective wisdom couched in impressively elegant prose.' Judges of the Research category in Scotland's National Book Awards 2023 in announcing The Old Red Sandstone as the winner.

Innehållsförteckning

Volume 1 (main headings of contents)Foreword by James RobertsonConception and Gestation: Why Miller wrote The Old Red SandstoneAnatomy: The book's structure and contentPoetics: How The Old Red Sandstone works as literatureBirth: How the books was published and marketedReception: How and why it was readAppendix 1: How Miller turned his Witness articles into a bookAppendix 2: The events surrounding the British Association meeting of 1840Appendix 3: Miller's subdivision of the old red sandstoneAppendix 4: Geology amd palaeontology then and nowAppendix 5: The fossil specimens figured in the first edition of The Old Red SandstoneAppendix 6: Following in the footsteps of MillerAppendix 7: Recommended reading Volume 2Forematter and frontispieceExplanation of the sections and platesFacsimile edition in 14 chaptersEnd matterAdditional notesGlossary