Bannatyne Club

The Bannatyne Club, named in honour of George Bannatyne and his famous anthology of Scots literature the Bannatyne Manuscript, was a text publication society founded by Sir Walter Scott to print rare works of Scottish interest, whether in history, poetry, or general literature. The club was established in 1823 and printed 116 volumes before being dissolved in 1861. Membership Membership in the Bannatyne Club was much more diverse than that found in more elite clubs such as the Roxburghe Club, including members from the publishing and printing trades in addition to lawyers. While the club was still elite, contributions by amateurs was considered valuable. This made the Bannaytne club a transitional organization between the elitism of previous clubs and the open policy of its successors. Like many Gentlemen's club's of the 18th and 19th centuries, the Bannatyne Club allowed members engage in homosocial relations and escape from constrictions associated with class, gender, and race. For its members, the club served to emphasize Scotland's distinct identity by publishing literary and historical texts. Between 1823 and 1827, membership expanded rapidly, increasing from thirty-one to one hundred members. Members were required to contribute five guineas each year as a membership fee. Members Founder members of February 7, 1823 Sir Walter Scott Thomas Thomson Thomas Kinnear David Laing William Adam of Blair Adam Sir William Arbuthnot, 1st Baronet James Ballantyne William Bannatyne, Lord Bannatyne Robert Bell John Clerk, Lord Eldin Henry Cockburn, Lord Cockburn Archibald Constable David Constable Robert Dundas of Arniston Robert Graham of Balgowan Henry Jardine of Harwood Rev. John Lee James Maidment Gilbert Laing Meason John Murray, Lord Murray Robert Pitcairn Sir Samuel Shepherd James Skene of Rubislaw George Smythe Patrick Fraser Tytler (1823)