RESEARCH TIDBIT

The Signet Library in Edinburgh is a stunning Georgian building that houses the Society of Writers to Her Majesty’s Signet, a professional organization of solicitors in Great Britain. The building was built in the late 1700-early 1800’s and has been maintained in the Classical style since then.

The second floor of the building, originally owned by the Faculty of Advocates, includes a drawing room that King George IV called the ‘finest drawing room in Europe’ during his visit there is 1822. And it is!  (photo Signet 2) The Advocates sold the upper library to the Solicitors for a mere £12,000 in the 1980’s.

One Victorian update to the main or lower library was the addition of wrought-iron desks that also served as heaters. Coal or wood was placed in the lowest chamber of it and the heat traveled up and out around the solicitor’s legs, keeping them warm in the otherwise huge and rather chilly chamber!

The Signet Library is located on Parliament Square, on the Royal Mile, in Edinburgh, Scotland. Their website is: www.thewssociety.co.uk