The Stirling Maxwell Centre, previously the Centre for Emblem Studies, fosters research into text and image interaction at the University and beyond.

It is based around facilities that are unique to Glasgow: chiefly Sir Stirling Maxwell’s collection of emblem books bequeathed to the University in 1956, as well as a world-leading collection of photography and 19th century French caricatures.

In collaboration with the Alliance Française, the centre also has access to a collection of French bande dessinés that together, is potentially the strongest in a non-French speaking country.

As the centre deals with text/image hybrids, it is interdisciplinary by nature and works closely with academics specialising in history of art, English and Scottish literature and modern languages.

The large collection of alchemy books has also created collaborations with medical humanities and philosophy.

‘People have realised that we’ve got this incredible collection,’ says Dr Laurence Grove, director of the centre, ‘and as a result there have been seminars, research fellows and researchers coming from across the world to use the materials.

‘People know that Glasgow’s a city of music, they know that Glasgow loves football, Glasgow’s got wonderful architecture and people are now just starting to realise that we’ve got the world’s best collection of picture books.’

www.glasgow.ac.uk/stirlingmaxwellcentre