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Lucy E: Alexander Cowan – the story behind the Ward

6th June 2024

EFI offered a sneaky peak of the building to University employers at the end of May, prior to its official opening. So some of my colleagues and I trundled across George Square and up Middle Meadow Walk for a snoop. In we went, up the steps leading from Lauriston Place, across the amazing new entrance esplanade, all gleaming paint and freshly-finished, with workmen still laying new turf outside the Canopy Cafe.

The very first thing I noticed on entering this glorious, Victorian behemoth of a building was the huge, original Ward Donor board handing on the left hand wall with its golden lettering. And top of the list, alongside the date 1852, was the name Alexander Cowan – my great great great great grandfather. I had absolutely no idea that he had bequeathed funds to the original infirmary.

He owned a papermill in Penicuik called Valleyfield, producing the paper for various publishers in 19th century Edinburgh. He was quite the philanthropist of his day, contributing to several local projects including re-glazing every building on the Royal Mile, and leaving monies in his will to Penicuik sufficient to build the Cowan Institute (later Penicuik Town Hall) in his memory. He was also one of the trustees who came to Sir Walter Scott’s rescue when he was declared bankrupt. So a nice link from Cowan Ward at EFI, via papermaking, to BOOKS.

All the very best to the BookFest in its new swanky home!

  • Guest Blog: Spartans’ Writer in Residence Owen Sutcliffe29th April 2025
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  • Reflecting on our Citizen celebration event27th February 2025
  • Open call writers and Edinburgh College of Art: Words from the Wards28th January 2025
  • On site with the Communities Programme at the August Book Festival26th September 2024
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The Edinburgh International Book Festival On the Road takes the Book Festival around Scotland throughout the year, supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. © The Edinburgh International Book Festival Ltd 2022. The Edinburgh International Book Festival has its registered office at 121 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 4YN, and is a company limited by guarantee (no SC 79939) with charitable status (SC 010120).