So it begins...

Yesterday my final year project began. I went on an interesting tour of the University of Glasgow archives and saw lots of historical artefacts including beer cans from Tennent's brewary, goods catalogues from the early House of Fraser, and some lecture records from Lord Kelivn's time at the University.

The archives are in a warren of a building with an estimated three miles of shelving holding archives dating back to the University's earliest days. All artefacts are held in temperature and humidity controlled conditions in order to preserve them.

At the end of our tour, the archivists direct us to a table with a number of records regarding various branches of scientific study at the University. Two of my classmates are studying genetics, and the archives hold the papers of eminent geneticists, making perfect project material for them. The other two of my collegues study physiolocial sciences, and the archives hold a large number of records pertaining to their degrees, anatomy being among one of the earliest subjects taught at the University of Glasgow. Immunology on the other hand, is a relatively modern science, and the only information pertaining to the subject in the archives is regarding a gentleman called Sir Robert Muir. The only thing I know about him at this stage is that he recieved a knighthood for his contribution to the field of immunity... an intruiging start to the project.

One of my project advisors today met with Dr Alasdair Gracie, of the Medical School at the University of Glasgow who intimated that Muir wrote a textbook, which has been a standard text in medical studies since its publication in 1924. There can't be many textbooks which have stood the test of time for over 90 years and travelled through 14 editions. I've just found out that the most recent edition of the textbook is in the 'high demand' section of the library, released for 24 hour loans only - surely evidence that the textbook is still highly relevant. Perhaps a study on the evolution of the textbook would be of interest?

I also looked through the archive and library catalogues today, and have requested one of Muir's earlier published works 'Recent Views on the Nature of Immunity' in the hope of gaining some insight into the scientific contributions of the man. I've also made an appointment to go back to the archives on Wednesday to look through Muir's publications, personal papers and correspondence.

I'm not yet sure what path my project may take, but Sir Robert Muir certainly seems like an interesting man, who has undoubtedly made his mark on the world, but are his contributions duly recognised?