Resources

The University's libraries have superb collections for research in history of science, medicine and technology from the sixteenth century up to the present day. Holdings include a magnificent collection of incunabula and early printed works of natural philosophy and medicine; one of Scotland's fullest and most varied collections of eighteenth-, nineteenth- and twentieth-century scientific books and periodicals; and specific collections including 19th-century medical pamphlets, the Wolfenbuttel Plague Collection on microfiche, the Gregory Collection of scientific and medical works, and the O'Dell Collection on railways and transport.

• There are extensive manuscript resources ranging from the thirteenth-century Aberdeen Bestiary (also available on-line) through the archives of Thomas Reid to records of local societies (e.g., the Aberdeen Medico-Chirurgical Society, the Aberdeen Philosophical Society; the Aberdeen Association of Civil Engineers) and industries. The Centre also makes strategic library purchases from time to time, including selections from the Boulton & Watt manuscripts (for which, see the University's library catalogue).
• The Marischal Museum, King’s Museum and other sites provide rich resources for students of the material culture of science and medicine. The University is particularly fortunate in its unique Natural Philosophy collection, comprising scientific instruments associated with the teaching of natural philosophy at Aberdeen from the eighteenth century to the present day.