January sees a new departure for the WS Society with the launch of a new season of Thursday evening talks on history at the Signet Library. The talks are free to members and guests and places will be reserved on a first come first served basis. Please note that the talks will take place in the Commissioners Room and that there is no step-free access.

To reserve a place at any or all of the three talks please email James Hamilton — JHamilton@wssociety.co.uk

Thursday 9th January 6pm for 7pm

The Bibliotheca Polonica: Poland and the Signet Library

Speaker: Dr Kit Baston

The Signet Library was in its infancy when a group of exiled Polish nobles in Edinburgh donated a collection of rare and important books to preserve Polish culture abroad when it was threatened by Russian Czarist dominance at home. Later collections would be established in Paris and London, but the Signet Library’s Bibliotheca Polonica was the very first and marked the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship between the WS Society, the Signet Library and the Polish nation. Dr Kit Baston’s talk is based on her research into and survey of the collection which is now in the care of the National Library of Scotland.

This talk is accompanied by an exhibition about the collection in the Upper West Library.

Thursday 16th January 6pm for 7pm

Sugar, Slaves and High Society: the Grants of Kilgraston 1750-1860.

Speaker: Richard Blake WS

Drawing from his new book, Richard Blake WS explores the links between the men and women of the Grants of Kilgraston and Sarawak in south east Asia, Nova Scotia, Jamaica and Edinburgh, illuminating a crucial period in colonial history with a wonderfully varied cast of characters from an important and influential Scottish family who left a deep mark upon their times. It is hoped to have copies of the book available for purchase on the night.

Thursday 30th January 6pm for 7pm

Inducing Intimacy: Deception, Consent and the Law

Speaker: Dr Chloe Kennedy

Based in part on research conducted at the Signet Library and based upon her new book, Dr Chloe Kennedy considers the law's response to deceptively induced intimacy across both civil and criminal law over more than two centuries. Encompassing both criminal and civil law responses within a fresh model of socio-legal history, Dr. Kennedy takes a long-term historical view which has important implications for law's treatment of induced intimacy today.