The Signet Library 200th Anniversary Online Exhibition

Signet Library Collection Guides

Indexes, Finding Aids and Digitizations

The Alexander Mill Index of Signet Library Session Papers was compiled between 1906 and 1919. It is divided into four sections. The first two sections form a list of Session Court cases arranged alphabetically by the name of the pursuers and defenders involved. The third part is a classified list organised by subjects (such as piracy or slavery), by place names and by legal terms. The fourth and final part is a list of the maps and plans included in the Session Papers arranged alphabetically according to place.

The Alexander Mill Index has been digitized and placed online. It is best viewed full page on a desktop screen. Click on the appropriate image below to enter each part of the index.

the session papers of james boswell

In recent years, a new edition of the Session Papers of James Boswell has been in process of publication by the Stair Society and this is now the authoritative text.

During the 1970s, Signet Librarian George Ballantyne created a new index of Session Papers written by the great Scottish Enlightenment biographer and travel writer James Boswell, covering Session Papers in the Advocates Library and the Signet Library (including Session Papers added to the Signet Library collections subsequent to the completion of the Alexander Mill Index in 1906. This index can be seen below.

digitizations

In recent years, a large number of Session Papers have been digitized by the University of Edinburgh from collections in Scotland and North America. These include Signet Library papers. and can be accessed by clicking on the image below. Please note that this is best viewed in desktop environments.