Charles Dickens visited Aberdeen 150 years ago and a complete collection of the author’s works has gone on display in the city.
A new exhibition at Aberdeen University’s Library’s Gallery opened yesterday, telling the story of Dickens’ visits to Aberdeen in 1858 and 1866 and showcasing their unique collection of his renowned novels.
‘An Audience with Charles Dickens’ will also explore his output as a writer and mark the first time that all 15 first editions of the novels have been displayed together at the university.
Visitors to the exhibition will be able to view rare first editions of all Dickens’s novels, from his first work, The Pickwick Papers in 1836, through to his last and famously unfinished book, The Mystery of Edwin Drood in 1870.
Christmas Carol Marley’s Ghost, by John Leech, from A Christmas Carol (1843)
Renowned Dickens expert and former Aberdeen University lecturer, Dr Paul Schlicke said: “Dickens visited Scotland many times throughout his life and had many Scottish friends and connections, not least in Aberdeen.
“It is cause for celebration that, 150 years after his second visit to Aberdeen, the University Library is mounting a splendid exhibition of materials selected from its distinguished Dickens collection.”
Exhibitions officer, Jennifer Shaw said: “I was surprised to learn that although important libraries such as Harvard University’s Houghton Library and the Morgan Library in New York also have first editions of his novels, Aberdeen’s collection is unusual in its completeness.
“Even more exciting was the discovery there doesn’t appear to have been an exhibition featuring all 15 first editions anywhere in the world for over half a century.
“We are delighted to be offering visitors a unique experience, whether you are a Dickens expert or new to these books.”
Scrooge’s Third Visitor, by John Leech, from A Christmas Carol (1843)
The exhibition will include audio extracts of the four readings that Dickens gave in Aberdeen and a talk on Thursday, March 24 by Dr Schlicke discussing the writer’s visits to the north east.
The Library will also host readings from Oliver Twist and The Pickwick Papers as part of the May Festival and a a Dickens-themed family fun evening on Saturday, June 18.
The exhibition runs until August 14 at The Gallery, The Sir Duncan Rice Library, University of Aberdeen and is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 10am – 5pm, Thursday 10am – 7pm and Sunday 11am – 5pm.
Information about these and other talks and events will be listed on the Special Collections website:
https://www.abdn.ac.uk/library/about/special
