Papers of William Saunders
- Reference:GB 237 Coll-1022/JC/WS
- Dates of Creation:1900s-1940s
- Name of Creator:
- Physical Description:2 linear metres 6 boxes, 4 bundles, 33 notebooks
Scope and Content
The papers consist of:
Correspondence
Lecture notes (from Saunders' time as an Edinburgh University Student)
Notebooks covering a variety of musical, literary, and historical subjects
Typescripts of two dramas by Gordon Roberts (submitted to Saunders for review)
Typescripts of 8 articles on musical subjects by Janet, Baroness Beveridge, perhaps submitted to Saunders in his capacity as editor of the Scottish Musical MagazineAdministrative / Biographical History
William Saunders was born in Kirkcaldy in 1877. He matriculated at Edinburgh University in 1906 and followed courses in Economic History, Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, and English Literature. He does not appear to have graduated.
Saunders published a text-book Ancient Handwriting: An Introductory Manual for Intending Students of Palaeography and Diplomatic in 1909. He was subsequently Honorary Secretary of Leith Nautical College and Editor of the Scottish Musical Magazine. He published articles and gave lectures and radio talks on a wide range of musical, literary, and historical subjects. He was also a keen book-collector who built a substantial personal library on the history and topography of Fife.
Saunders died 1948. James Clarkson Corson appears to have been appointed his literary executor, but we have not, as yet, established the nature of the relationship between Saunders and Corson.
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