The Mostellaria of Plautus, by William Ramsay, and edited by George G. Ramsay, presented by Dr. David Ross, Principal of the Church of Scotland Training College and Glasgow University's first Lecturer in Education.

This handsome Glasgow University prize volume was awarded in 1895 for Education and signed on the presentation label by Dr David Ross, Principal of the Church of Scotland Training College and Glasgow University's first Lecturer in Education. Ross had been appointed only the previous year, when the University introduced Education as a taught subject for the first time, making this an unusually early prize from the University's formal teaching of Education. The first Education class had commenced in October 1894 with just 24 students. The presentation label is completed in manuscript for Carolus [Charles] W. Thomson and signed "David Ross, LL.D., Lect." Bound in an attractive contemporary full calf prize binding by Maclehose of Glasgow.

The work itself has a particularly strong association with Glasgow University. William Ramsay (1806-1865), the classical scholar responsible for the notes and commentary, was Professor of Humanity at Glasgow from 1831 until his death in 1865. This posthumously published edition was subsequently edited by his nephew and successor in the Chair, George Gilbert Ramsay (1835-1921). George Gilbert Ramsay also taught Charles Thomson at Glasgow and personally signed Thomson's 1893 University prize for Latin, providing an interesting connection between this volume and another surviving book from the same group of Thomson's prize volumes.

One of a remarkable group of Glasgow University prize volumes awarded between 1889 and 1895 to Charles William Thomson (1871-...), a notably distinguished student who won fifteen University prizes and graduated M.A. Thomson subsequently pursued a prominent career in Scottish education, serving as Rector of several schools including Larkhall Academy, and was also an author and advocate of Scottish national interests. A founding member and later President of the Scottish Patriotic Association, he is best remembered for his substantial two-volume historical work Scotland's Work and Worth (1909-10). His identity and academic record have been confirmed from the matriculation, prize and General Council records held by the University of Glasgow Archives & Special Collections.

The Mostellaria of Plautus; with Notes Critical and Explanatory, Prolegomena and Excursus by William Ramsay, M.A., and edited by George G. Ramsay, M.A.

Published by Macmillan and Co, London, 1869, First edition.

A very good (plus) full calf leather hardback with gilt Glasgow University roundel to front and top compartment of spine. With gilt and blind stamped borders to covers and elaborate gilt tooling to spine. Raised bands and gilt morocco title label. Some light scuffing and shelf wear to leather and a slightly sunned area at the top of the rear cover. Soundly bound.

With marbled endpapers and marbled text block edges. A University prize presentation label to the front pastedown records the award to Carolus Guil. Thomson in the "Instit. Educ." class in 1895, and is signed "David Ross, LL.D., Lect." by Dr David Ross, Glasgow University's first Lecturer in Education.

The text is bright and clear throughout, with just a few spots to endpapers. 

A most handsome volume.

Text primarily in English, with Latin.

xii + bound in Erratum slip + cxvi + 295pp.

Dimensions: approximately 222mm high x 149mm wide x 32mm deep.

Weight: Approximately 894g (unpacked).