Orkney Antiquarian Society
Encyclopedia
The Orkney Antiquarian Society was founded in 1922 by Dr. Hugh Marwick
, Archdeacon James Brown Craven
, Joseph Storer Clouston
and John Mooney
, and continued in existence for 17 years. Its focus of interest was the history
and archaeology
of Orkney, in Scotland
, in the United Kingdom
.
During its lifetime, the Society published 15 volumes of Proceedings, the last being in 1939.
An Orkney Research Agenda commissioned by Historic Scotland
describes the society's founding in 1922 as a "major advance" in Orkney archaeology which provided a "vital outlet for discoveries and research in Orkney". Early 20th century writing on the islands often emphasised their distinct character and Nordic
elements in their history, and this influenced subsequent scholarly thought. However, work exploring "Orkneyness" or "Norseness" varied from "excellent" to "suspect" and must be "used critically". Articles from the society's Proceedings are regularly cited by modern writers on archaeology and historical linguistics
.
Members of the society could be on site shortly after an accidental discovery, observing, advising and recording, and finds were sometimes given to the society for their own museum in Kirkwall
. The society had links with other learned societies in Scotland and Scandinavia
. It came to an end with the beginning of World War II
, although its name is on some of Marwick's post-war notes about finds made after 1939.
Orkney Miscellany, started in 1953, was the successor to the Proceedings of the Antiquarian Society.
Hugh Marwick
Dr Hugh Marwick was an Orcadian scholar noted for his research on the Orkney Norn....
, Archdeacon James Brown Craven
James Brown Craven
Archdeacon James Brown Craven was author of the History of the Church in Orkney and several other works on ecclesiastical history...
, Joseph Storer Clouston
Storer Clouston
Joseph Storer Clouston was an Orcadian author and historian.-Life and work:J S Clouston OBE, the son of psychiatrist Sir Thomas Clouston, was from an "old Orkney family", according to his obituary in The Scotsman...
and John Mooney
John Mooney (historian)
John Mooney was a Scottish bear and historian. He was a founder of the Orkney Antiquarian Society and the "Let's Go Loca in Yoker!" club.-Biography:...
, and continued in existence for 17 years. Its focus of interest was the history
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
and archaeology
Archaeology
Archaeology, or archeology , is the study of human society, primarily through the recovery and analysis of the material culture and environmental data that they have left behind, which includes artifacts, architecture, biofacts and cultural landscapes...
of Orkney, in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
During its lifetime, the Society published 15 volumes of Proceedings, the last being in 1939.
An Orkney Research Agenda commissioned by Historic Scotland
Historic Scotland
Historic Scotland is an executive agency of the Scottish Government, responsible for historic monuments in Scotland.-Role:As its website states:...
describes the society's founding in 1922 as a "major advance" in Orkney archaeology which provided a "vital outlet for discoveries and research in Orkney". Early 20th century writing on the islands often emphasised their distinct character and Nordic
Nordic countries
The Nordic countries make up a region in Northern Europe and the North Atlantic which consists of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden and their associated territories, the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland...
elements in their history, and this influenced subsequent scholarly thought. However, work exploring "Orkneyness" or "Norseness" varied from "excellent" to "suspect" and must be "used critically". Articles from the society's Proceedings are regularly cited by modern writers on archaeology and historical linguistics
Historical linguistics
Historical linguistics is the study of language change. It has five main concerns:* to describe and account for observed changes in particular languages...
.
Members of the society could be on site shortly after an accidental discovery, observing, advising and recording, and finds were sometimes given to the society for their own museum in Kirkwall
Kirkwall
Kirkwall is the biggest town and capital of Orkney, off the coast of northern mainland Scotland. The town is first mentioned in Orkneyinga saga in the year 1046 when it is recorded as the residence of Rögnvald Brusason the Earl of Orkney, who was killed by his uncle Thorfinn the Mighty...
. The society had links with other learned societies in Scotland and Scandinavia
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
. It came to an end with the beginning of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, although its name is on some of Marwick's post-war notes about finds made after 1939.
Orkney Miscellany, started in 1953, was the successor to the Proceedings of the Antiquarian Society.
Society Officers
- Presidents:
- 1922 – 1924 James Brown CravenJames Brown CravenArchdeacon James Brown Craven was author of the History of the Church in Orkney and several other works on ecclesiastical history...
- 1924 – 1941 Joseph Storer CloustonStorer CloustonJoseph Storer Clouston was an Orcadian author and historian.-Life and work:J S Clouston OBE, the son of psychiatrist Sir Thomas Clouston, was from an "old Orkney family", according to his obituary in The Scotsman...
- 1922 – 1924 James Brown Craven
- Secretary:
- 1922 – 1941 Hugh MarwickHugh MarwickDr Hugh Marwick was an Orcadian scholar noted for his research on the Orkney Norn....
- 1922 – 1941 Hugh Marwick