Pollitt, R. (2023). The origins and development of a Scottish surgical instrument maker: the family firm of Archibald Young from 1771 until 1886. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland 152. Vol 152, Edinburgh: Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. pp. 341-364. https://doi.org/10.5284/1118582. Cite this via datacite

Title The title of the publication or report Title:	The origins and development of a Scottish surgical instrument maker: the family firm of Archibald Young from 1771 until 1886
Issue The name of the volume or issue Issue:	Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland 152
Series The series the publication or report is included in Series:	Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
Volume Volume number and part Volume:	152
Page Start/End The start and end page numbers. Page Start/End:	341 - 364
Downloads Any files associated with the publication or report that can be downloaded from the ADS Downloads:	15_PSAS152_p341-364.pdf (3 MB) : Available for download from 30-Nov-2025
Licence Type ADS, CC-BY 4.0 or CC-BY 4.0 NC. Licence Type:	ADS Terms of Use and Access
DOI The DOI (digital object identifier) for the publication or report. DOI	https://doi.org/10.5284/1118582
Publication Type The type of publication - report, monograph, journal article or chapter from a book Publication Type:	Journal
Abstract The abstract describing the content of the publication or report Abstract:	The origins and development of Archibald Young, an Edinburgh family firm of surgical instrument makers, are examined. Over five generations the firm developed from a cutler's apprenticeship in 1771 into a prominent manufacturer of surgical instruments at the Edinburgh International Exhibition of 1886. Archival sources include parish registers, business receipts, newspapers, Annual Directories, the Register of Edinburgh Apprentices and Burgesses, Minute Books of the Incorporation of Hammermen of Edinburgh, and the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Cash Books. The documentary evidence is augmented by examples of instruments held in museums and archives in Britain. The research provides a business history that will aid the dating of artefacts in museum collections and offer an insight into Young's contribution to Edinburgh's medical heritage.
Author The authors of this publication or report Author:	Ruth Pollitt
Publisher The publisher of the publication or report Publisher:	Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
Year of Publication The year the book, article or report was published Year of Publication:	2023
Locations Any locations covered by the publication or report. This is not the place the book or report was published. Subjects / Periods:	Surgical Instrument Archibald Young Medicine History Medical Cutlery
Source Where the record has come from or which dataset it was orginally included in. Source:	ADS Archive (ADS Archive)
Relations Other resources which are relevant to this publication or report Relations:
Created Date The date the record of the pubication was first entered Created Date:	12 Apr 2024