Edinburgh University

Category

Library Item

Item no

3881

Title

Edinburgh University

Description

The entrance to Edinburgh University Old College quadrangle. The building has a large arched doorway flanked by two smaller arches, these are framed by doric columns. Over the arched doorway is one large semi-circular window with two rectanglar windows at either side. Above this is a row of plain oblong windows.

Artist / maker

Moir, George

Date

1850

Size

7.5 x 10.1 cm

Type

Salted paper print

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

Annotation below title reads 'Entrance to Quadrangle (from S. Bridge)

The construction of Old College, according to Robert Adam's designs, began in 1789. Adams' death and the beginning of the Napoleonic Wars led to the project being halted in 1792. It was recommenced in 1817 by William Playfair, and work was largely completed by the mid 1830's. It was not until 1887 that the final finishing touch, a large dome similar to that in Adam's original design, was put to the building by Robert Rowand Anderson. This dome was topped with a bronze statue the following year. The building is still used by the University of Edinburgh.

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Related subjects

Architecture > Architectural features > Arches

Architecture > Architectural features > Columns

Architecture > Architectural features > Doors and doorways

Architecture > Architectural features > Windows

Education > Educational facilities > Universities and colleges

Places > Edinburgh areas > Southside

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