Old College Quadrangle, Edinburgh University

Category

Library Item

Item no

942

Title

Old College Quadrangle, Edinburgh University

Description

View of the interior quadrangle of Edinburgh University's Old College looking towards the South Bridge. The dome towers over the rest of the structure and a well head can be seen in the centre of the quadrangle.

Artist / maker

Unknown

Date

1900

Size

8.5 x 13 cm

Type

Postcard

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

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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