Professor Ronald Miller
- Reference:GB 241 D68
- Dates of Creation:1529-1985
- Name of Creator:
- Language of Material:English
- Physical Description:1.67 Linear Metres
Scope and Content
Papers relating to the interests of Professor Ronald Miller.Papers relating to geographical and economic studies of Orkney, 1891-1980, Includes:Report and working papers on Ronald Miller and Susan Luther-Davis’s development survey of Eddy and Hoy, 1967-1968; Folder relating to attempts to produce a tourist map of Hoy for the Hoy Trust, 1971-1975; Papers relating to the “Natural Environment of Orkney” a symposium held by the Nature Conservancy Council, 1974; Folder of material relating to the Crofters’ Commission in Orkney and subsequent reports, 1891-1968; Draft notes for “Orkney and Shetland Regional Essay”, c1978; Papers relating to the population of Orkney, 1931-1976; Papers relating to a geological, geographical and economic description of Orkney and Shetland, c1980; Orkney farm survey, 1966; Articles concerning agriculture in Orkney, 1920-1985; Notes by Ronald Miller and Susan Luther-Davis on Orkney agriculture, 1953-1979; Agricultural statistics for Orkney for 1921-1973, 1973, Offprints of articles mainly concerning coastal geography and submarine peat deposits, 1924-1979; Notes and correspondence relating to beaches and submarine peat beds, 1929-1978; Papers relating to the oil industry in Orkney including material on the Flotta oil terminal, 1973-1979; Papers relating to sea transport in Orkney including plans for constructing a ro-ro terminal at Hatston and Professor Miller’s role in lobbying for the retention and use of Stromness ro-ro facility, 1968-1980. Papers relating to antiquarian interests, 1529-1984, Includes:Material relating to the history and archaeology of Orkney, Typescript of the Third Statistical Account of Scotland: the County of Orkney, c1951; Notes, typescripts, press cuttings, offprints, pamphlets reflecting Professor Miller’s antiquarian, archaeological, historical and geographical interests in Orkney, particularly the North Isles, 1880-1984.Photocopies and copies of original documents relating to the history and archaeology of Orkney including accounts of travels to Orkney, maps, articles, from 1529 to 1976, compiled c1960-1976. Photocopies and copies of original documents relating to Norse links with Scotland, 1772-1977; Report on the loss of the Hampshire off Orkney in 1916, 1926; Pamhlets relating to the archaeological sites of Orkney, 1936-1963; Notes on runic inscriptions on the Standing Stones at Stenness, c1975.Papers relating to his work as a councillor, 1976-1982, Includes:Includes reports, local plans, structure plans, 1976-1982.
Administrative / Biographical History
Ronald Miller was born in Stromness c. 1911, the son of John Miller, lightkeeper and his wife Georgina Park. He spent his early childhood in Inverkeithing, returning to Stromness when he was 12. He continued his schooling in Stromness and from there went to Edinburgh University, graduating in 1931 when he became the first Scottish Geographer to take Honours in a Scottish University. He obtained his PhD with a thesis in oceanography following which he spent some time in Manchester where he developed an interest in regional geography and climatology. It was to further this interest that he accepted a post as an educational officer in Nigeria. When war broke out he was mobilised into the Royal West African Frontier Force. After demobilisation he became a lecturer in geography at his old university until 1953 when he was appointed Professor of Geography at the University of Glasgow, a position he held until his retiral in 1976. That same year saw his return to Stromness and the family home in the South End and also the publication of 'Orkney', published by BT Batsford Ltd./ He served as a member of Orkney Islands Council from 1978 until 1982 and as a committee member of the Hoy Trust from its inception. He was also editor of the Third Statistical Account of the County of Orkney, published by Scottish Academic Press in 1985. Professor Miller died in August 1990
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