Magnus Spence papers
- Reference:GB 241 D32
- Dates of Creation:1864-1950
- Name of Creator:
- Language of Material:English
- Physical Description:0.59 Linear Metres
Scope and Content
Albums and notebooks containing press cuttings and notes, c1891-1950, mainly relating to Spence’s family life and amateur interests, c1891-1919, including: obituary of his father, 1908; notes on archaeological sites on Orkney, place-names, natural history and botany, c1900-c1918; weather reports; Orkney and Shetland folklore and customs; book reviews; magazine articles contributed by Spence; his own obituary, 1919. Certificates, awards and references presented to Spence, 1874-1909, mainly in relation to his teacher training in Edinburgh. Papers relating to his career as a schoolmaster, 1875-1917. Copies of essays and articles written by Spence, c1900-1919, on botany, local history and climate in Orkney. Letters written to Spence concerning Orkney archaeology, 1896-1917, including letters by J Storer Clouston, 1916-1917. Notes on Orcadian songs, c1890-1920. Notes and prints for Flora Orcadensis, c1914. Draft minute books of Deerness Churchyard Committee, 1902-1910.
Administrative / Biographical History
Magnus Spence was born around 1853 in Birsay, the son of Magnus Spence, a schoolmaster and his wife Ann. He also became a schoolmaster and spent his teaching career in Stenness and latterly Deerness schools. In addition to his being a much acclaimed educationalist, he was a gifted amateur geologist, botanist, meteorologist, zoologist and antiquarian. He published many papers reflecting these wide interests but remains best known in Orkney for his 'Flora Orcadensis', published by David Spence, Kirkwall, 1914. He died in 1919.
Access Information
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Other Finding Aids
Item level catalogue in typescript form held by Orkney Archives.