Historical Research Using Libraries

 

I've recently been doing a lot of research for the historical fiction and non-fiction books I am writing which resulted in me spending two days in the Rare Manuscripts Reading Room at the National Library of Scotland. Now, one might think that libraries in general and rare manuscripts in particular might be frightfully dull. Nothing could be further from the truth. This was the view from my seat - not only was a I reading abut historic Edinburgh but I was seeing it. Seeing things from above gives you a whole new perspective on what they are like. I would like to think my main character had the self same view but sadly not. The library was started in 1925 and completed in 1956 but they still managed to make it look historic and in keeping with its surroundings. Anyway I digress.

What exactly was I reading and researching? The answer, Edinburgh and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (as it had been known since 1801) from 1834-1838. Therefore, I was interested in newspapers, magazines and pamphlets from that period. The process was simple as outlined below.

Firstly, as I am a member of NLS, I searched their online database for periodicals from the period. I also researched  the year before and the  year after as I was trying to get a sense of the times in which my main character lived. This included political, social, medical provision, housing, economic, and anything else I could think of that might shape the way he lived and what he believed. 

When I arrived at the library my documents were waiting for me and I had to sit at a desk which had a foam book rest and a weighted cord to hold the pages open. 

The first magazine I looked at was The People's True Friend. The first ever edition was printed in Edinburgh on 31st December, 1834. A shiver went down my spine knowing that my main character, who was actually a real person, may have read this whilst he went to medical school in Edinburgh. Imagine if he had held this very newspaper. This gave me a real sense of connection to him bringing him closer and I could see him more clearly in my mind. The first ever article was crammed full of information about the turmoil in the government of the time. I got a clear picture of the political and social situation of the time. However, I was surprised that, despite this being an Edinburgh publication, it focussed on what was happening in London with no mention of how this impacted on Scotland. However, I can make assumptions based on what was reported. 

My next manuscript was Johnstone's Edinburgh Magazine for January 1834 and an article entitled London Thieves and London Misery. Again, I was surprised by the London Focus of the lead article. Did this demonstrate the importance of London during that time? It certainly made me think and look to exploring this further. This was an impassioned article on the poor of London and how the prisons were full of those who were unfortunate and merely stealing to survive. There was a plea for compassion and a change in social thinking which could reduce the numbers of prisoners. Social reform was obviously needed and at the forefront of people's minds. Again, it got me thinking about what the situation in Edinburgh might be. 

The two periodicals had many things in common such as stories, poems, recipes and songs, as well as news from home and abroad. The people of Edinburgh seemed to be well read and interested in a variety of issues and stories, reflective I feel of the emphasis on education and reading in Scotland. 

I did read other magazines and pamphlets but the length of this blog prevents me going into more detail. If you are writing historical fiction I would urge you to visit the national library in your country and look at some rare manuscripts. You will learn a lot more than you think. 

About the Author

Wendy H. Jones is an award-winning, international best-selling author who writes adult crime books, young adult mysteries, children's picture books and non-fiction books for writers. She is also a writing and marketing coach, runs the Writing Matters Online School and is the CEO of Authorpreneur Accelerator Academy, The president of the Scottish Association of Writers and hosts The Writing and Marketing Show podcast. She is currently writing a series of historical fiction novels based around the life of a 19th Century Surgeon in the Royal Navy. She is represented by Amy Collins of Talcott Notch Literary Agency.


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Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Inspiration

I want to start with a question on the blog today. What do Arthur Conan Doyle and I have in common? Have a think about that one and I will get back to you with the answer later in the blog. Don't let me forget now.

Yesterday I was through in Auld Reekie for the day. For those uninitiated in the Scots language. This is a nickname for Edinburgh from the days when coal fires left a black haze of smoke over the city. Translated, Auld Reekie means Old Smokey. Doesn't have quite the same ring to it in English. No offence to my English readers but us Scots certainly know how to romanticise language. 

Anyway, enough of the lessons in the Scots language. Whilst I was there I went to the Scottish National Library. This fabulous old building houses an array of books both ancient and modern. A book lovers paradise. I felt like I'd died and gone to heaven. They have a couple of exhibitions on at the moment. One is on the Jacobite Rebellion and there are a number of ancient documents and books  about the rebellion. One of these is Bonnie Prince Charlie's birth certificate as seen below.

Now that is what you call history as Bonnie Prince Charlie, or to give him his real name, Charles Edward Stuart, was born on 31st December 1720. 

There were also many other Scottish writings from this time and some can be seen in the photo above. This made me think about my heritage both as a Scot and a writer. I am proud to be part of a history of Scottish writing which started before I was born, and will continue long after I am gone. Looking at the books and documents has inspired me to write more and to be the best writer I can be. I don't want to let my fellow writers, whether living or dead, down. If you can get to the national library of your country then I would urge you to do so. It is the most inspiring day I have spent.

The other exhibition was about different aspects of Scottish writing and had many items about Arthur Conan Doyle. Many people forget that he was Scottish, as his most famous detective, Sherlock Holmes, is London based. It was fascinating to find out more about him and his work. We often forget that he wrote many other books several of which were in the exhibition. He takes his place amongst other great Scottish writers such as Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson.

What's that you say? What do Arthur Conan Doyle and I have in common. Well firstly take a look at the photo below.

This is me with a copy of my book sitting in Arthur Conan Doyle's chair in his study. So we've both sat in the same place and thought about writing. 

The second thing we have in common is the fact that his books, and my books, are now in the Legal Deposit Libraries in the National Library of Scotland, The Bodleian Library in Oxford, Cambridge University library, the Library of Trinity College Dublin, and the National Library of Wales, as well as the British Library. I was depositing five copies of Killer's Countdown for legal deposit. I felt quite famous for five minutes.

This post was brought to you by a very proud, emotional and inspired Scottish author.

I'm going to finishes with a question. What inspires you to write? If we share in the comments below we will be able to help each other be inspired and to be better writers.

See you all back here very soon for another reading and writing frenzy. Until then, keep reading