The story of an Edinburgh magazine first published in 1817 is told in a new National Library of Scotland display.
'Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine', which continued until 1980, was regarded as the most important and influential literary-political journal of its time.
The display features prominent issues of the magazine and correspondence relating to contributors, including Arthur Conan Doyle and Robert Louis Stevenson. Among unusual exhibits is a 1918 issue that saved the life of a First World War soldier.
During its best days, in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the magazine introduced new works from writers such as George Eliot, Joseph Conrad and John Buchan.
Success was built on controversy — with acerbic reviews and personal attacks on leading figures that both scandalised and captivated readers. This led to frequent lawsuits and the death of one angry critic in a pistol duel.
'"Laws were made to be broken": "Blackwood's Magazine" at 200' runs until July 2.
Read more in our Blackwood's display media release.
30 March 2017