Adopt a manuscript at the National Library of Scotland
Join the John Murray Archive 'Four o'Clock Friends'
Join the National library of Scotland's 'Four o'Clock Friends' by adopting a manuscript from the John Murray publishing archive.
John Murray II hosted regular meetings of his many authors and friends in his drawing room forming what Sir Walter Scott called his 'Four o'Clock Friends'.
We invite you to become one of the Library's own 'Four o'Clock Friends'. By adopting your own manuscript from the John Murray Archive you will be supporting the National Library of Scotland and helping us to preserve, enhance and increase access to the national collection.
Your support will help us with existing and new fundraising projects within the library as well as preserve the John Murray Archive that the Library successfully acquired in April 2011. We hope you will join the 'Four o'Clock Friends' and the growing number of Library supporters.
What you can
adopt
We have selected nearly 100 of the archive's unique manuscripts for adoption.
You may also choose to gift your manuscript to a friend or family member. Please note that items cannot be adopted by more than one person.
What you
receive
In return for adopting a manuscript you will receive:
- An adoption certificate
- Recognition on the item or on its container at the National Library of Scotland - a bookplate, for example
- An online acknowledgement of your gift.
How to get
started
Fill in the adoption form (PDF) (25 KB; 2 pages) with your cheque or bank details and post the form to us. If you are based in the USA, you can donate through the American Associates of NLS (AANLS).