The Innes Collection
The library of Professor Cosmo Innes (1798 – 1874).
About Cosmo Innes
Mr Cosmo Innes, 1860s
Cosmo Innes was a Scottish advocate, judge, historian and antiquary. He passed Advocate in 1822, was elected Sheriff of Morayshire, 1840, and appointed to the Chair of History in the University of Edinburgh, 1846. He was also the author of several antiquarian works. Professor Innes was the editor of many of the important cartularies (books of charters and titles of estates) and other works issued by the Bannatye, Maitland and Spalding Clubs. He died at Killin on 31st July, 1874, aged seventy-six.
About the collection
The Whole Works of the Right Honourable Duncan Forbes printed by David Niven 1788 (spines on shelf). The first book ever purchased for The Mitchell Library in 1874.
After Innes’ death in 1874, the libraries committee of the Glasgow Corporation purchased the library, which is rich in Scottish history, biography, genealogy and antiquities.
The collection is dispersed throughout the library - they were the first books ever purchased for the Mitchell Library.
The Whole Works of the Right Honourable Duncan Forbes printed by David Niven 1788 (title page). The first book ever purchased for The Mitchell Library in 1874.
The Glasgow Corporation Libraries committee recorded in November 1874 that the collection would be designated “The Innes Collection,” as a mark of respect to the memory of its former owner.
Finding aid
Please email Special Collections or phone 0141 287 2988 if you would like to access this collection.
Further reading
Marsden, R. Innes, Cosmo Nelson (1798–1874), antiquary. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.
The Mitchell Library from 1874 to 1884
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