‘Nature’s Beloved Son: Rediscovering John Muir’s Botanical Legacy’Sat 1 November – Sun 25 January 2015 | John Hope Gateway | Free
A major new exhibition celebrating the life of John Muir, the Scottish-American naturalist and author, who, 100 years after his death, is still remembered for his understanding of the need to preserve wilderness. In the spirit which Muir embraced the botanical world, the exhibition traces his travels to Canada, Indiana, the American southeast, California, and Alaska, and presents vivid images of the actual plants that Muir held in his hands, carried in his backpack, and preserved for all time.
The exhibition is delivered in partnership with the East Lothian Council, and is a traveling exhibition from Exhibit Envoy, supported by the Skirball Foundation, Heyday Books, Michael McCone, Michael Boone, Martha Kropf, Robert Marx, Mary Louise Myers, and the Holt-Atherton Special Collections, University of the Pacific Library, curated by Bonnie J. Gisel and photography by Stephen J. Joseph.
The exhibition continues until 25 January and will be accompanied by two talks.
John Muir – Nature’s Apostle
Sat 8 November, 14:30 – 15:30 | Ground Floor exhibition space, John Hope Gateway | Free
Will Collin, of Dunbar’s John Muir’s Birthplace, will explore the development of Muir's influence as a preservationist from his childhood in Dunbar to his death in 1914, and his consequent legacy as 'Father of America's National Parks' and ‘patron saint’ of modern environmental consciousness.
John Muir and friends – Historic collections online
Sat 15 November, 14:30 – 15:30 | Patrick Geddes Room, John Hope Gateway | Free
Elspeth Haston, RBGE Deputy Herbarium Curator will discuss the recent digitisation of the RBGE herbarium with reference to specimens found in the Natures Beloved Son exhibition.
Events in Book Week Scotland
Botanical Treasures - Behind the ScenesThurs 27 Nov 2014 | Conference Room, 20A Inverleith Row | £6 (£5 concession)
Join staff and authors of our recent publication Botanical Treasures for a behind-the-scenes look at some of the hidden gems in our Herbarium and Library collections.
The Naming of the Shrew: A Walk with John WrightSat 29 — Sun 30 Nov 2014 | Real Life Science Studio | John Hope Gateway | Free
Join John Wright, forager and author, on a stroll around the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh to explore the people and the stories behind the names we use to organise nature.
John Wright: The Naming of the ShrewSat 29 — Sun 30 Nov 2014 | Real Life Science Studio | John Hope Gateway | Free
Author and forager John Wright will speak about this latest book - The Naming of the Shrew.
Philip Guston: Late Paintings Book LaunchSat 29 Nov 2014 | Inverleith House | Free
A reception to celebrate the publication of 'Philip Guston: Late Paintings', which documents the acclaimed 2012 Inverleith House exhibition.
Artist Book Spotlight: Jean JohnstoneSun 30 Nov 2014 | John Hope Gateway | £5 (£4 concession)
A poetry reading with a difference - you do the reading, silently...
Jean Johnstone invites you to slowly unwrap her artists books to experience the fine words of leading contemporary poets in the context of each individual art work. All of her small books contain one poem only, each complemented by delicate images from the natural world, on Lokta, Tsasho and Resho papers. Jean Johnstone is a Scottish artist who uses etchings, pen and ink drawings, leaf and bark papers, beeswax, silk and linen, to create handmade, hand-scripted artist’s books. She has made works with many Scottish poets, including John Burnside and Kathleen Jamie.
