THE Royal Society of Edinburgh has unveiled a new photography exhibition at its offices on George Street in Edinburgh which celebrates the achievements of some of Scotland’s leading female scientists.
The exhibition features portraits of the current and former RSE Presidents, Prof Dame Anne Glover and Prof Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, Prof Mandy MacLean who carries out research into pulmonary arterial hypertension, forensic scientist Prof Niamh Nic Daeid, Professor of Computing Science Muffy Calder, Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland Professor Sheila Rowan, Professor of Reproductive Medicine Hilary Critchley, who works with patients with menstrual disorders, solar physicist Prof Ineke DeMoortel, Prof Karen Faulds who works on developing bionanosensors for detection of biomarkers related to disease, Prof Lesley Yellowlees, expert in solar energy and Prof Mercedes Maroto-Valer whose research is addressing global challenges to ensure sustainability of resources and energy, among others.
Each of the 23 women showcased in the exhibition is holding an item representing either their inspiration to become a scientist .
Large-scale print outs of the photographs taken by Ian Georgeson will be on display until August.
Celebrating Women in Science in Scotland is part of this year’s Edinburgh Science Festival.
www.rse.org.uk
THE shortlist for the Wolfson History Prize 2019, for new historical non-fiction books, has been revealed.
It includes a biography of Oscar Wilde, a new history of Queen Victoria as Empress of India, and books on the Holocaust, and a exploration of the role of birds in the Ancient World.
The books include: Building Anglo-Saxon England by John Blair, Reckonings: Legacies of Nazi Persecution and the Quest for Justice by Mary Fulbrook, Trading in War: London's Maritime World in the Age of Cook and Nelson by Margarette Lincoln, Birds in the Ancient World: Winged Words by Jeremy Mynott,Oscar: A Life by Matthew Sturgis and Empress: Queen Victoria and India by Miles Taylor.
Chair of the judges and President of the British Academy, David Cannadine, commented: “The great strength and depth of history writing in the UK is demonstrated by this year’s shortlist.
"It brings together a range of authors, writing very different types of history across many periods and from divergent perspectives.
"The unifying element is a commitment to share their meticulous research and passion for their subject with as wide an audience as possible.
"The task of the judges – although difficult – was a delightful one, and it is with great enthusiasm that we announce the shortlist for 2019.”
The winner of the Wolfson History Prize 2019 will be named on 11 June.
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk
THE manuscript of one of the most notable poems of the 19th century, Lord Byron’s Don Juan, will go on display at the National Library of Scotland from 18 April, to mark the 200th anniversary of its publication.
Don Juan is regarded as Byron’s masterpiece and led Sir Walter Scott to make comparisons with Shakespeare.
Visitors will have the opportunity to view the working manuscripts of Don Juan on display – specifically cantos I, II and V – which show changes and additions made by the poet.
National Librarian John Scally said: "Lord Byron was at the height of his powers when he penned Don Juan. The epic poem was before its time and he knew it. It was deliberately provocative, but his intent was to expose the hypocrisies of British society as much as it was to shock readers with depictions of war, slave markets, harems, and perhaps most famously, the protagonist’s litany of love affairs.
“We have been collecting Byron’s work for the past 30 or 40 years. The Byron papers in the National Library are a rich and unique research resource and we are proud to be one of the leading centres for the study of Byron’s life and work."
At the time of his death in 1824, Byron was resident in Greece, working on the 17th canto of Don Juan.
He died age 36.
www.nls.uk
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