Rev Alexander Whyte was Principal of New College 1909-1918. Even before his arrival at New College had a passion for theological education. This illuminated manuscript, expressing thanks from the young women who attended his classes, was produced to mark Whyte’s election as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland in 1898.
The manuscript is a beautiful example of Phoebe Anna Traquair’s work. A leading light of the Arts and Craft movement, Traquair was born in Dublin in 1852 and moved to Edinburgh in the 1870s. With her art heavily influenced by the Pre-Raphaelite Movement, Traquair painted murals for the Royal Hospital for Sick Children’s mortuary chapel, St Mary’s Cathedral, and Mansfield Place Church.
Shown at the top of the page are the original manuscripts created for Rev Alexander Whyte. Click on each image to explore the texts!