The Association was constituted on the 29 May 1845. It was founded upon the direction of William MacGillivray, Professor of Civil and Natural History at Marischal College, who sought to encourage an interest amongst his friends for the study of natural history in Aberdeen. Membership of the Association was open to persons who were
Members met fortnightly, for
By February 1852, membership numbers had fallen sharply, and regular meetings had ceased. It is believed that the Association was wound up around this time and a second Natural History Society established a few years later. This Society was also short-lived, for in 1863 a third group was formed - The Natural History Society of Aberdeen. This survives today as the Natural History and Antiquarian Society of Aberdeen.
For further details about Aberdeen's Natural History Associations see H.J.H. Drummond,
Minutes of the Association, 1845 - 1851, containing list of members, rules and regulations, and detailed descriptions of observations made during field excursions to sites of local natural history interest. Enclosures include a motion to grant the Secretary, Dr. Smith, an Honorary Membership of the Association, prior to his leaving the country to take up the post of Professor of Chemistry and Philosophy at University College, Sydney.
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Deposited in the University Library in 1907, from the library of the late James Farquharson, D.D.
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Very brief collection level description available on Aberdeen University Library Catalogue, accessible online
Personal papers and lecture notes of William MacGillivray are also deposited in this repository; and printed transactions, 1869/9, 1878, 1885; rules, 1898; and papers, 1865 - 1927; of the Natural History Society of Aberdeen (later the Natural History and Antiquarian Society) are in the University Local collection.
Full reference details can be found on the University Library Catalogue
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