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Display commemorates Scott's South Pole expedition
One of the greatest stories of triumph and tragedy is told in a display at the National Library of Scotland.
'Scott's last expedition' uses material from NLS collections to recount the achievements of the men of the British National Antarctic Expedition of 1910-1913.
Four members of the expedition went with Captain Robert Falcon Scott on a gruelling trek across the Antarctic's snow and ice. Enduring extreme and hostile conditions, they reached the pole on 17 January 1912.
It was an epic accomplishment, but it took its toll. All five men died on the return journey — when they were only a few miles from safety.
National grief
As items on display reveal, it was January 1913 before word of their deaths reached the outside world.
As the news spread back home, the tragic story of the pole party stirred national grief. Their story of courage, heroism and endurance still resonates and fascinates today.
Letters on show
Expedition sponsors ranged from companies like Fry's, who provided the expedition with chocolate, to school pupils and other members of the public. Among the exhibits are letters from Scott to donors who helped fund the venture.
Also on show is a letter to Earl Haig written on the expedition's ship, 'Terra Nova', as she steamed back to New Zealand. In it Edward Evans breaks the sad news of the deaths, and asks Haig to keep it private until the relatives were informed.
Read more in the treasures display press release.
12 January 2012
Shakespeare's importance to Scotland
edition of Shakespeare's plays.
What does England's bard mean to Scotland? That is the question explored in the National Library of Scotland’s new exhibition.
'Beyond Macbeth' looks at Shakespeare's reputation across four centuries through the eyes of key figures with Scottish connections.
World-class exhibits
Between them they helped bring together editions of Shakespeare's works and related material, now held in two world-class collections in Edinburgh. Items from these collections at NLS and at the University of Edinburgh are featured in the exhibition.
Visitors will have the rare opportunity to see some of the earliest surviving examples of Shakespeare's works. This includes the First Folio of his collected plays from 1623, seven years after he died.
Hands-on activities
Shakespeare's texts were often edited, changed and written on as they were performed.
This is reflected in the exhibition which encourages visitors to put their own stamp on Shakespeare by playing with his words in different ways.
Until 29 April the exhibition is open daily, except on public holidays, and admission is free.
Supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, it is a joint venture between NLS and the University of Edinburgh.
Read more in the Shakespeare exhibition press release.
9 December 2011
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