Friends of Argyll Estates Archives

Description

Our June presentation in the Friends seminar series 2024/25, will take place via Zoom on Friday 6 June 2025 at 14:30 UK time when Domhnall Uilleam Stiùbhart will present ‘Campbell of Islay and Campbell of Argyll: the family connections of John Francis Campbell (1821–85), folklorist and polymath’.

John Francis Campbell (1821–85), Iain Òg Ìle or Young John of Islay, is best known to readers today as the supervisor and editor of Popular Tales of the West Highlands, four volumes of priceless Gaelic stories and lore gathered by a team of collectors under his direction. The story of the story collector himself, however, remains somewhat obscure. In this talk, Dr Domhnall Uilleam Stiùbhart, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, will use the National Library’s extensive Campbell manuscript archive and material from the Argyll Archives to set Campbell in the context of his family life and his relations, in particular George Campbell, 8th Duke of Argyll (1823–1900). For his cousin Iain, the duke was variously a friend, mentor, employer, neighbour, patron, and clan chief. Argyll and Islay were of similar character: restless, ambitious, charismatic polymaths, but they were also troubled and even tragic individuals, often uneasy—and occasionally downright exasperated—with each other.

Dòmhnall Uilleam Stiùbhart is Assistant Professor at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, University of the Highlands and Islands, and Course Leader for the MSc in Cultar Dùthchasach agus Eachdraidh na Gàidhealtachd (Material Culture and Gàidhealtachd History). He publishes widely on the history, literature, material culture, ethnology, folklore and popular culture of the Scottish Gàidhealtachd from the seventeenth century onwards.

The seminar will be given on Zoom. A link will be sent closer to the time.

Please add the event to your basket and checkout to book your space. Attendance is £10 for non-members. It is free for Friends (Friends must be logged-in before checking out to receive their discount). Find out more about becoming a Friend.

(Image – caricatures of John Francis Campbell by Lord Archibald Campbell: ‘No. 1. John takes a very decided line a row is impending’; ‘No 2 The combatants met with equal fury on both sides fearful blows were dealt’ © Argyll Estates Archives)