Old Red Sandstone

Ross-shire-born Hugh Miller (1802-56), self-taught stonemason, geologist and writer, was famous in his lifetime across the English-speaking world. A social commentator and crusader, he also, pre-Darwin, inspired in others an interest in fossils. This two-volume set of books include a facsimile edition of his classic The Old Red Sandstone, first published in 1841.Dr Michael A. Taylor is Research Associate, Department of Natural Sciences, National Museums Scotland, and Visiting Research Fellow, School of Museum Studies, University of Leicester. He is the author of the biography Hugh Miller: Stonemason, Geologist, Writer and he edited the facsimile edition of Hugh Miller's The Cruise of the Betsey with Rambles of a Geologist, both published by NMSE – Publishing.Professor Ralph O' Connor is Professor in the Literature and Culture of Britain, Ireland and Iceland, University of Aberdeen.

• Volume 1 (main headings of contents)Foreword by James RobertsonConception and Gestation: Why Miller wrote The Old Red SandstoneAnatomy: The book's structure and contentPoetics: How The Old Red Sandstone works as literatureBirth: How the books was published and marketedReception: How and why it was readAppendix 1: How Miller turned his Witness articles into a bookAppendix 2: The events surrounding the British Association meeting of 1840Appendix 3: Miller's subdivision of the old red sandstoneAppendix 4: Geology amd palaeontology then and nowAppendix 5: The fossil specimens figured in the first edition of The Old Red SandstoneAppendix 6: Following in the footsteps of MillerAppendix 7: Recommended reading Volume 2Forematter and frontispieceExplanation of the sections and platesFacsimile edition in 14 chaptersEnd matterAdditional notesGlossary

'A critical study of Hugh Miller’s nineteenth-century geological writings, this two-volume set delivers a great deal of collective wisdom couched in impressively elegant prose.' Judges of the Research category in Scotland's National Book Awards 2023 in announcing The Old Red Sandstone as the winner.