Dr Michael A. Taylor – författare
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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.
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Hugh Miller was born in 1802 in Cromarty, North East Scotland. He started his working life as a stonemason's apprentice. A keen interest in fossil collecting followed and he was successful in arousing public interest in geological history. He later became a social commentator and crusader (he was one of the first writers to condemn the Highland Clearances) while his role as a serious religious journalist is highlighted in his discussions on the Disruption of the Church of Scotland and its consequences. As Hugh Miller, a tall man with a shepherd's plaid over his rough tweed suit, walked about Edinburgh he was pointed out with pride. His was a household name in his lifetime, not only in Scotland but also across the English-speaking world. After his death, by his own hand in 1856, his work was mined by historians and anthologists for its acute observations, and geologists continued to love the spirit which imbued his writings, as did the Free Church - but in the 20th century his thoughts on evolutionary biology were sorely obsolete.However, a recent revival in Scots history and culture, and a reassessment of the 19th century debates in science, geology and religion, have all led to a fuller appreciation of the rich and complex stories in which Hugh Miller played a part, and of the man himself. This biography follows the 2003 facsimile edition of Hugh Miller's "The Cruise of the Betsey and Rambles of a Geologist", which Michael Taylor edited. With the benefit of recent research for the 2002 centenary conferences, the book does full justice to a neglected figure whose work and writings continue to give enjoyment and inspiration.