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PREFACE
I should like to thank
especially Captain Alex McAdam, who has carefully preserved the papers
of his grandfather and given permission for their publication. His
assistance, and that of his niece, Miss Moira McAdam, has been
invaluable.
The suggestion to edit John McAdam’s autobiography came originally from
Dr "William Ferguson, for whose constant encouragement and help I am
truly grateful.
Much of the work was completed during my tenure of a Visiting Research
Fellowship at the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities,
University of Edinburgh, January to April, 1979. For an ideal working
environment I am grateful to the Honorary Director, Professor William
Beattie, and Secretary, Miss Margaret Jardine.
My thanks go also to the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council
of Canada for a generous research grant.
Letters of enquiry were courteously answered by descendants of McAdam’s
associates, scholars, archivists and librarians too many for all to be
named individually. I am especially indebted to Dr Anthony P. Campanella,
International Institute of Garibaldian Studies, Geneva, and Mr C. N.
Campbell, former Senior Partner of Robert McTear & Co.
My transcription of the manuscripts was carefully checked by Mr Clifford
Collier. Any errors that remain are my responsibility; that there are
not more of them is due to Mr Collier’s conscientious performance of a
tedious task.
Mrs Rosemary Wallace is much to be commended for her excellent and
speedy production of the final typescript. For arranging for this
assistance, and many other kindnesses, I thank Miss Ishbel MacGregor,
Administrative Secretary, School of Library and Information Science,
University of Western Ontario.
Those letters not in the possession of Captain McAdam are published
through the co-operation, and with the permission, of the archivists and
librarians in charge of them: Dr W. A. L. Seaman, County Archivist, Tyne
and Wear County Council, Dr Gyorgy Pajkossy, National Library of
Hungary, Dr Istvan Kallay, Hungarian
National Archives, Dr Marziano Brignoli, Museo del Risorgimento, Milan,
Mr T. A. Garvatt, Co-operative Union Library, Manchester, and Dr
Campanella.
Finally, I wish to thank Dr Thomas I. Rae for his patient attention and
advice.
JANET FYFE
University of Western Ontario December, 1979
Autobiography of John McAdam
(1806-1883)
With selected letters edited by Janet Fyfe, ph.d. (1980) (pdf) |
