The Advocates Library Opened by Its Founder, Sir George Mackenzie, the Lord Advocate

The Advocates Library, founded by Sir George Mackenzie, who was then the Lord Advocate of Scotland, officially opened in 1689. Sir George Mackenzie, a prominent figure in Scottish legal history, established the library to serve the members of the Faculty of Advocates in Edinburgh, Scotland. The library quickly became one of the most significant legal libraries in Scotland, providing an invaluable resource for legal professionals and scholars.

Over time, the Advocates Library amassed an extensive collection of legal, historical, and literary works, contributing to its reputation as a major reference and research library not just in Scotland, but in Europe. Its extensive collections have played a crucial role in the development of Scots law and legal scholarship.

In addition to serving the legal community, the Advocates Library was instrumental in the formation of the National Library of Scotland. In 1925, under the terms of the National Library of Scotland Act, the library’s collections were transferred to the newly established National Library of Scotland, making it the legal deposit library of Scotland. This transfer ensured that the National Library would receive a copy of every book published in the UK and Ireland, significantly expanding its collections and reinforcing its status as one of the leading research libraries in the world.

The Advocates Library continues to function today, primarily serving the members of the Scottish Bar. Its history and contributions to Scottish legal history and scholarship are widely recognized and celebrated.