U of G Scottish
Studies Chair a North American first North America's first Chair
in Scottish Studies has been appointed at the University of
Guelph, home to Canada's oldest established Scottish studies
program and largest library collection of Scottish materials
outside of Scotland. Graeme Morton, currently a senior lecturer in
economic and social history at the University of Edinburgh, will
join U of G in August as the Chair in Scottish Studies and a
professor of history.
"This is great news
for the university," said Jacqueline Murray, dean of the College
of Arts. "Not only are we gaining one of the world's top Scottish
scholars, but the creation of the chair is another indication of
our position as one of the world's foremost centres of Scottish
studies."
The permanently
endowed chair was made possible entirely through $2 million in
private donations, including a $750,000 gift from the Scottish
Studies Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to the
study of Scottish and Scottish-Canadian culture and heritage.
Morton is renowned
for his research into Scottish identity and nationalism. He
specializes in the historical construction of Scottish national
identity and nationalism, with emphasis on the creation of the
Victorian cult of Sir William Wallace. He is the author of William
Wallace: Man and Myth and has published dozens of articles and
chapters.
He was funded by
the Canadian High Commission to study nationalism in Canada and
Scotland. Morton is also part of an international team of scholars
supported by the European Science Foundation to study "Writing
National Histories in Europe." He currently serves on the council
of both the Scottish History Society and the Scottish Economic and
Social History Society.
In addition to
teaching post-graduate and honours courses at the University of
Edinburgh, Morton supervises master's and doctoral students. A
popular media commentator on Scottish events, he will work closely
with the Scottish Studies Foundation to promote the study of
Scotland and Scots in Canada.
As Chair in
Scottish Studies, Morton will be mainly responsible for conducting
research and guiding students. He will expand outreach activities
to promote undergraduate and graduate education in Scottish
studies and will enhance international connections, particularly
with Scotland.
The University of
Guelph has been a leader in Scottish studies since the 1960s.
Guelph currently has the only graduate program in North America
devoted to the study of Scotland and the achievements of people of
Scottish descent around the world. The interdisciplinary program
explores the role of the Scots in terms of immigration, settlement
and ethnicity, and the Scottish contribution to the culture and
history of Canada.
For more
information on the Scottish studies program, visit
www.uoguelph.ca/scottish.
