Edinburgh, West Mains Road, University Of Edinburgh, King's Buildings, Department Of Geology

The Public Monuments and Sculpture Association (http://www.pmsa.org.uk/) set up a National Recording Project in 1997 with the aim of making a survey of public monuments and sculpture in Britain ranging from medieval monuments to the most contemporary works. Information from the Edinburgh project was added to the RCAHMS database in October 2010 and again in 2012.

The PMSA (Public Monuments and Sculpture Association) Edinburgh Sculpture Project has been supported by Eastern Photocolour, Edinburgh College of Art, the Edinburgh World Heritage Trust, Historic Scotland, the Hope Scott Trust, The Old Edinburgh Club, the Pilgrim Trust, the RCAHMS, and the Scottish Archive Network.

Portrait bust of head, shoulders and part upper torso of Sir Archibald Geikie, wearing contemporary clothing. A medal hangs around the neck passing through the shirt collar. The medal is topped with a closed crown from which depends a cross, at the centre of which is a beaded circle inscribed with RAS (?) entwined. The bust is mounted upon a timber pedestal.

Archibald Geikie (1835-1924) was educated at the University of Edinburgh and joined the Geological Survey of Scotland, becoming its director in 1867. He was professor of geology at the University of Edinburgh (1871-82) and director general of the Geological Survey of the United Kingdom (1882-1901). He was knighted in 1891. His publications include Outlines of Field Geology (1876), Text-Book of Geology (1882), The Founders of Geology (1897), and Types of Scenery and Their Influence on Literature (1898).

Inscriptions : On front face of pedestal, below bust (incised letters):

SIR ARCHIBALD GEIKIE / IN MEMORY OF AN ARDENT STUDENT / JOHN ANDREW USHER / DIED 1878 / PRESENTED BY / SIR ROBERT USHER BT.

Signatures : On back of bust (incised letters, cursive script): Ed. Lanteri / 1916

Design period : 1916

Information from Public Monuments and Sculpture Association (PMSA Work Ref : EDIN0039)

Portrait bust of head, shoulders and upper torso wearing contemporary clothing (dinner suit?) decorated with medals/honours. A further medal is hung from a ribbon around the neck.

Sir Roderick Impey Murchison Bart. (1792-1871)

Inscriptions : On front face of pedestal, below bust in inscribed lettering with inscribed diamond shaped inserts between words:

SIR RODERICK MURCHISON

Signatures : None visible, limited access to rear of work.

Information from Public Monuments and Sculpture Association (PMSA Work Ref : EDIN0041)

A bas-relief depicting, in profile, an over life-size seated nude male representing Geology, looking to the viewers' right. His right hand rests on the slabs of sandstone upon which he is sitting. In his left hand he holds a slab containing a fossil of an ammonite, which is balanced upon his left knee. The figure is enclosed within a larger ammonite motif, with his head framed by the architectural moulding above.

Inscriptions : None

Signatures : None

Design period : 1930-1931 (building)

Year of unveiling : 1931

Information from Public Monuments and Sculpture Association (PMSA Work Ref : EDIN0042)

A cultural heritage desk based assessment for the proposed redevelopment focused on the Geosciences Buildings and Engineering Buildings, King's Buildings, University of Edinburgh was undertaken in August 2016. The proposed development site is located at the west extent of the King's Buildings Campus in the south of Edinburgh centred on NGR NT 26466 70599. The proposed development comprises redevelopment of the Geosciences and Engineering buildings within the King's Buildings Campus.

Information from Callum Allsop (Rubicon Heritage Services) 11 August 2016: OASIS ID: rubiconh1-261722