20th February, 2025 – Eric Melvin, Historian. Holy Trinity Church, Church Street, Haddington at 7.30pm.
Following the publication of his book, ‘The Fresh Air of the Summer Morning‘, Eric Melvin will discuss the story of Duncan Napier who founded the well- known herbalist shop in Edinburgh in 1860.
Near the end of his long and remarkable life, Duncan Napier (1831 – 1921) dictated some of his early memories to his sons Andrew and Duncan jnr. These were recorded in two journals which are now in the possession of his great grand-daughter Lynda Melvin. Born the illegitimate son of an Edinburgh widow, Duncan’s story is one of real courage in adversity. His journals describe a very tough childhood. A chance encounter with an Edinburgh lawyer John Hope, grandson of the famous Botanist, rescues him from a life of poverty and despair. Thanks to John Hope, Duncan receives an education; is introduced to Christianity and is persuaded to give up alcohol. Another stroke of luck introduces Duncan to herbalism and it is John Hope who helps him open his first shop. Duncan describes his early days as a herbalist and gives a fascinating account of some of the ailments that he was called upon to treat. His story is a rare authentic working – class description of life in the overcrowded Old Town of Edinburgh. The book draws heavily from a range of contemporary sources. There are additional chapters on the story of Burke and Hare, the notorious murderers; the Disruption of the Church of Scotland in 1843 and the dreadful living conditions in Edinburgh’s historic Old Town in the mid-19th century. It has 234 pages and is generously illustrated.
About Eric: Eric, graduated with First Class Honours in History and Political Thought from Edinburgh University in 1967. After a year out in London, he qualified as a secondary teacher of History and Modern Studies at the then Moray House College of Education gaining a Dip. Ed. in the process and the Staff Prize. He later gained an M.Ed. from the University of Edinburgh. He retired from teaching in 2005, working latterly for the City of Edinburgh Council as Headteacher at Currie Community High School.
He has for many years taken Community Education classes for The City of Edinburgh in both Scottish History and the History of Edinburgh. He gives talks to various groups on aspects of the City’s History. (e.g. The Saltire Society, U3A, Probus and Local History Clubs). He is a trained volunteer guide for The Edinburgh Festival Voluntary Guides Association.
He has had several books published by John Murray for younger readers on aspects of Scottish History as well as ‘Discovering Scotland’ for Ladybird. Most recently he has had three books published on Amazon – ‘A Walk Down Edinburgh’s Royal Mile’, ‘A Walk Through Edinburgh’s New Town’ and ‘Mary, Queen of Scots’ written for younger readers and illustrated by Aileen Paterson. ‘John Kay, Artist of Edinburgh’s Golden Age’ was published in 2017 and most recently, a book about Duncan Napier, (The Fresh Air of the Summer Morning) the founder of the famous Edinburgh Herbalist business in 1860.
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