A. J. Youngson (1918–2004)

Almost as soon as it was published in 1966, Youngson's book became, and remains today, the standard work on Edinburgh's New Town. Youngson was Edinburgh University's Professor of Economics and brought that discipline to an analysis of the politics and financing behind the creation of what is now recognised as the finest piece of Neo-classical town planning in the world. It is now, jointly with Edinburgh's Old Town, designated as a World Heritage Site.

The University Press commissioned black and white photographs from the eminent photographer, Edwin Smith, one of the best, if not the best, architectural photographers of the time, and Smith's images are still recognised as the defining images of the city in the mid 20th century. Most were taken for the book, circa 1964, but some are dated to 1954 and will have been from earlier commissions (Smith published a number of books, some on Scotland).

The book was a seminal influence on the conservation of the New Town which, in the 1960s was in poor condition and not regarded, as it is today, as a desirable place to live. Youngson's text and Smith's photographs brought interest in and recognition to the importance of the New Town. A few years later, the City hosted an important exhibition called 200 Summers in the City, which also celebrated the New Town. In 1970, the Scottish Civic Trust hosted a major conference, titled The Conservation of Georgian Edinburgh (see the findings of that conference, published in 1972 under that title ISBN 0 85224 215 8) which led directly to the formation of the Edinburgh New Town Conservation Committee, now subsumed into the Edinburgh World Heritage Trust.

Of these three events which led to the saving of the New Town (some areas had already been cleared), Youngson's book was arguably the single most significant.… (meer)

Almost as soon as it was published in 1966, Youngson's book became, and remains today, the standard work on Edinburgh's New Town. Youngson was Edinburgh University's Professor of Economics and brought that discipline to an analysis of the politics and financing behind the creation of what is now recognised as the finest piece of Neo-classical town planning in the world. It is now, jointly with Edinburgh's Old Town, designated as a World Heritage Site.

The University Press commissioned black and white photographs from the eminent photographer, Edwin Smith, one of the best, if not the best, architectural photographers of the time, and Smith's images are still recognised as the defining images of the city in the mid 20th century. Most were taken for the book, circa 1964, but some are dated to 1954 and will have been from earlier commissions (Smith published a number of books, some on Scotland).

The book was a seminal influence on the conservation of the New Town which, in the 1960s was in poor condition and not regarded, as it is today, as a desirable place to live. Youngson's text and Smith's photographs brought interest in and recognition to the importance of the New Town. A few years later, the City hosted an important exhibition called 200 Summers in the City, which also celebrated the New Town. In 1970, the Scottish Civic Trust hosted a major conference, titled The Conservation of Georgian Edinburgh (see the findings of that conference, published in 1972 under that title ISBN 0 85224 215 8) which led directly to the formation of the Edinburgh New Town Conservation Committee, now subsumed into the Edinburgh World Heritage Trust.

Of these three events which led to the saving of the New Town (some areas had already been cleared), Youngson's book was arguably the single most significant.… (meer)