Letters and Papers of Professor James Lorrain Smith (1912-1931)

The material consists of: copies of letters to James Thomas Wilson, 1880-1891; letters to James Thomas Wilson, 1888-1891, also the memorandum An inquiry into pathology; and, copy of the transcript of autobiography entitled Boyhood in Half Morton House notes of which were written in 1926.

James Lorrain Smith was born in 1912. He took the degree of D.Sc. at Manchester and the degrees of M.A. and M.D. at Edinburgh. He also studied at Oxford and became associated with John Scott Haldane (1860-1936) and his work on respiration and allied subjects. Smith was Professor of Pathology and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Edinburgh University. While at Edinburgh he made observations on fatty degeneration. He had also been Professor of Pathology at Queen's College, Belfast, and Professor of Pathology at Manchester University. With John Scott Haldane (1860-1936), he was involved in the publication of The absorption of oxygen by the lungs (1897). Professor James Lorrain Smith died on 18 April 1931.

Generally open for consultation to bona fide researchers, but please contact repository for details in advance.

Wilson letters, acquired from Dr. Max Wilson, 1993, Accession no. E93.17. Wilson letters, acquired from Dr. J. M. G. Wilson, 1998, Accession no. E98.20. Autobiography transcript, acquired from Dr. J. M. G. Wilson, Accession no. E98.22.

The biographical/administrative history was compiled using the following material: (1) Who was who 1929-1940. London: Adam and Charles Black, 1941. (2) 'Obituary'. Edinburgh University journal. Vol. 4. 1930-1931. pp.170-173.

Compiled by Graeme D Eddie, Edinburgh University Library, Special Collections Division.

Important finding aids generally are: the alphabetical Index to Manuscripts held at Edinburgh University Library, Special Collections and Archives, consisting of typed slips in sheaf binders and to which additions were made until 1987; and the Index to Accessions Since 1987.

Check the local Indexes for details of any additions.

The Division also has material relating to the Faculty of Science at shelfmark Da.45.12 and Da.45.15, being the Faculty of Science Minute book for 1918-1921, which includes letters and reports, covering subjects such as courses, students, research grants and appointments. Those present at meetings included Sir Thomas Hudson Beare, James Lorrain Smith, James Cossar Ewart and Thomas John Jehu. Also, the Faculty of Science Minute Book, 1929-1932, which includes letters and reports, covering subjects such as courses, students, research grants and appointments. Those present at meetings included Sir Thomas Hudson Beare, Sir William Wright Smith, James Lorrain Smith, Henry Briggs and Thomas John Jehu.