The Reid Memorial Angling Collection
A collection of around 700 books on angling, fishing styles, prominent fishing areas across the world and related topics. It was the personal library of Dr. William Loudon Reid, a Scottish doctor and enthusiastic salmon fisherman.
About William Loudon Reid
William Loudon Reid was born on 17 January 1845, in Motherwell. He went to school in Hamilton, studied at Glasgow University and graduated MB, CM in 1866. He had the privilege of acting as a dresser under Lord Lister when the latter was developing his antiseptic system of surgery.
After graduating in 1866, he began his professional career as a general practitioner, then spent some time abroad, studying particularly obstetrics and gynaecology, which were to become his full-time, life-long specialities. He took his MD in 1869 and became a Fellow of the Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow in 1877 and began his long connection with the Maternity Hospital. Dr. Reid was recognised as a pioneer in the scientific development of obstetrics and gynaecology. The Royal Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons appointed him an Examiner, and later elected him their President. In 1931, they gave him the highest honour, the Honorary Fellowship.
After his retirement in about 1911 he took up his residence at Carmunnock and was able to devote more time to religious and temperance work, in which he had always been deeply interested. Dr. Reid was also a compulsive and enthusiastic salmon fisher, a pursuit which took him to many fishing centres in Britain, Europe and America.
In these excursions his constant companion was his wife, who was herself an accomplished angler. Part of his hobby consisted of making artificial flies, while another part is represented by a valuable collection of books on angling, which was one of the treasures of “Craigsheen”, his house at Carmunnock. He passed away on 17 December, 1931, just short of his 87th birthday.
About the collection
A selection of books from the collection.
The Reid Memorial Angling Collection was presented to the Mitchell Library by his widow in 1939. The collection of around 700 volumes consists of mostly 19th century publications and documents a range of fishing and angling styles along with prominent fishing areas across the world.
Finding aid
Further reading
University of Glasgow International Story
British Medical Journal Obituary January 1932
Contact us
We welcome feedback from library users.
Contact us to let us know how we are doing or if you want to find out more.