📚 Dunblane's historic Leighton Library
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📚 Dunblane's historic Leighton Library
@leightonlibrary.bsky.social
Scotland's oldest purpose-built independent library, built 1687 from bequest of 17th century Robert Leighton, Principal of University of Edinburgh, Chancellor of University of Glasgow, Bishop of Dunblane Cathedral

https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uk
Dunblane’s historic Leighton Library has 1589 edition of “Poluainou Strategematon” which has Latin translations (by Swiss scholar Isaac Casaubon, born #OnThisDay 1559) beside original Greek in parallel columns of 2nd-century Macedonian author Polyaenus’ “Stratagems in War.”
February 18, 2026 at 7:16 AM
#OnThisDay 1630 Robert Leighton’s father, Dr Alexander Leighton, was arrested in London. He was tried & found guilty in Court of Star Chamber on charge of sedition, for attacking Anglican bishops in book “Appeal to the Parliament; or Sions Plea against the Prelacie”
February 17, 2026 at 8:13 AM
#OnThisDay 1683 Robert Leighton wrote his will, founding Leighton Library, Scotland’s oldest purpose-built independent library:
“Only my books I leave & bequeath to the Cathedrall of Dunblane in Scotland to remaine there for the use of the clergie of that diocess.”
February 17, 2026 at 7:28 AM
Dunblane's historic Leighton Library has 1543 edition of "Loci Communes rerum theologicarum seu hypotyposes theologicae (Latin for Common Places in Theology or Fundamental Doctrinal Themes) by German astronomer, theologian & academic Philipp Melanchthon, born #OnThisDay 1497
February 16, 2026 at 8:07 AM
Dunblane's historic Leighton Library has 1596 edition of "De natura noui orbis" about New World, by Spanish Jesuit missionary & naturalist in Latin America José de Acosta who died #OnThisDay 1600
February 15, 2026 at 7:58 AM
Dunblane's historic Leighton Library has 1675 edition of "Of the principles & duties of natural religion" by author, natural philosopher & Bishop of Chester John Wilkins, born #OnThisDay 1614
February 14, 2026 at 8:49 AM
William & Mary were proclaimed co-rulers of England #OnThisDay 1689. Dunblane's historic Leighton Library has 1689 First Edition of “Declaration of Estates of kingdom of Scotland, containing claim of right, & offer of Crown to Their Majesties King William & Queen Mary”
February 13, 2026 at 8:30 AM
Dunblane's historic Leighton Library has 1745 First Edition of “Histoire de Louis XI” by French author Charles Pinot, born #OnThisDay 12 Feb 1704. This history of Louis XI was recognised for its display of considerable powers of research and impartiality
February 12, 2026 at 7:53 AM
Dunblane's historic Leighton Library has 1774 edition of "State-papers & letters, addressed to William Carstares, confidential secretary to King William during the whole of his reign" by William Carstares, born #OnThisDay 1649
February 11, 2026 at 7:22 AM
#OnThisDay 1576 Wilhelm Xylander, German classical scholar and humanist, died. Dunblane’s historic Leighton Library has a 1643 edition of his "Marci Antonini imperatoris De seipso et ad seipsum libri XII" - the meditations of Marcus Aurelius (Emperor of Rome, 121-180)
February 10, 2026 at 7:30 AM
Dunblane's historic Leighton Library has 1792 edition of controversial "The Rights of Man" by English-born American political writer & revolutionary Thomas Paine (viewed as a key influence on the American and French Revolutions), born #OnThisDay 1737.
▶️ youtu.be/FsZQZCMRmo8
Dunblane's Leighton Library has a 1792 edition of "The Rights of Man" by Thomas Paine
YouTube video by Leighton Library Dunblane
youtu.be
February 9, 2026 at 9:33 AM
Dunblane’s historic Leighton Library has 1591 first edition of “In librum Danielis prophetae commentarius” (commentary on book of Daniel) by Scottish theologian & academic Robert Rollock who died #OnThisDay 1599, first regent & principal of University of Edinburgh
February 8, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Dunblane's historic Leighton Library has 1629 edition of "Utopia" by author, statesman, & England's Lord High Chancellor Sir Thomas More, born #OnThisDay 1478 - satire about social, political & religious system & customs of imaginary, ideal island nation
February 7, 2026 at 8:23 AM
Hear Murray sharing about postcards, available to purchase in Dunblane’s historic Leighton Library, featuring beautiful artwork of Leighton Library Volunteer Guide Jane Dunbar

Max & Murray are members of 25th Stirling (Dunblane) Boys’ Brigade, volunteering at Leighton Library
February 6, 2026 at 6:14 PM
#OnThisDay 1685 Scotland's King Charles II died. He appointed Robert Leighton as Bishop of Dunblane. R L Mackie said "saintly Robert Leighton…it mattered little to him whether a man was a Presbyterian or an Episcopalian; the important thing was that he should be a Christian.”
February 6, 2026 at 9:03 AM
It's #WeatherPersonsDay today. Former headmaster of Dunblane Free Church School (building opposite Dunblane Public Library), & Keeper of Dunblane's historic Leighton Library, Dr Alexander Buchan (1829-1907) was Scottish meteorologist who established weather map for forecasting
It's #WeatherPersonsDay today. Former headmaster of Dunblane Free Church School (building opposite Dunblane Public Library), & Keeper of Dunblane's historic Leighton Library, Dr Alexander Buchan (1829-1907) was Scottish meteorologist who established weather map for forecasting
February 5, 2026 at 12:41 PM
Dunblane's historic Leighton Library has 1616 edition of "Georgij Cassandri Belgae theologi, Opera quae reperiri potuerunt omnia" by Flemish author George Cassander who died #OnThisDay 1566 - promoted religious peace between Catholics & Protestants but gave offence to both
February 3, 2026 at 8:13 AM
#OnThisDay 1792, Mr Alexander Blackadder, a borrower from Blair Drummond borrowed Leighton Library’s 1790 edition of "Poems of Ossian" translated by James Macpherson (New edition, London, 1790. 2 volumes) www.leightonlibrary.org.uk/books-and-bo...
February 2, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Dunblane's historic Leighton Library has 1531 edition of "De scriptoribus ecclesiasticis" by German lexicographer, historian, cryptographer, polymath, abbot & occultist Johannes Trithemius, born #OnThisDay 1462, one of founders of modern cryptography, & steganography
February 1, 2026 at 7:48 AM
Hear Max & Murray encouraging you to consider purchasing a bookmark from Dunblane's historic
Leighton Library - "these pretty place-holders will power up your perusal with pictures of the library...”
Max & Murray are members of 25th Stirling (Dunblane) Boys' Brigade, volunteering at Leighton Library
January 31, 2026 at 7:23 PM
#OnThisDay 1816 Miss Stirling of Kippendavie, (having paid subscription to Leighton Library of 10 shillings & sixpence), borrowed Dunblane's historic Leighton Library's 1780 3rd edition of "A view of society & manners in France, Switzerland, & Germany” by Dr John Moore
January 31, 2026 at 7:52 AM
The persecution and punishment of Robert Leighton's father, Dr Alexander Leighton, was described as "one of the most disgraceful incidents of the reign of King Charles I" (executed #OnThisDay 1649 King Charles I in London)
January 30, 2026 at 9:14 AM
#OnThisDay 1632 German classical scholar Johann Georg Graevius was born. He had very high reputation as teacher at University of Utrecht. Dunblane's historic Leighton Library has 1710 edition of his treatise on philosophical works of Cicero "Ciceronis De officiis libri tres"
January 29, 2026 at 8:57 AM
Today is #InternationalLegoDay so here's Robert Leighton as Lego minifigure, & smallest book in Dunblane's historic Leighton Library beside #Lego minifigure - book is "De imitatione Christi" by Thomas a Kempis. Robert Leighton made many notes in this book - in tiny handwriting
January 28, 2026 at 9:08 AM
When you shop at online shop of Dunblane’s historic Leighton Library, you’ll discover beautiful products, & you’ll be contributing to ensuring its future

🛍️ leighton-library-shop.co.uk
January 27, 2026 at 7:33 AM