A Solid Background: 1780 – 1865:

Glasgow had by 1864 matured as an industrial and commercial city. Since the 1780’s the city reputation as a mercantile community had been complemented by the rise of cotton spinning & weaving, and by the development of the marine engineering, locomotive building. The sophistication of the city by that time was clearly seen in the creativity of its architects, the best of whom were of European status. This talk will aim to provide a solid background and a consideration of the ‘Gilded Age’.

Prof. John Hume is an Honorary Professor at both the Universities of Glasgow and St. Andrews. He was a lecturer in Economic and Industrial History at the University of Strathclyde. After a career with Historic Scotland as an Inspector of Scotland’s Ancient Monuments and Historic Buildings,he eventually retired as Chief Inspector of Historic Buildings in 1999. Prof. Hume is currently a Chairman for the Royal Commission of Ancient and Historic Monuments and an Advisor to the Church of Scotland General Trustees Fabric Committee. He lives in Glasgow and was instrumental in setting up many local heritage organisation such as the Forth & Clyde Canal Society and has written all major reference books on Glasgow’s Industrial Heritage.