The works and words of Esther Inglis

Esther Inglis (c.1570-1624) was the daughter of French Huguenot refugees who settled in Edinburgh in 1574. She is renowned for the beauty of her handwriting. Join us as we explore her unique story and the insights her manuscripts offer about book making and reading in Renaissance Scotland. Learn about the intended uses of her miniature books by their recipients.

Growing up in Scotland’s capital, Inglis mastered the art of calligraphy at a young age. Over 60 of her intricate manuscripts are known today, often religious in nature and miniature in size. These manuscripts blend various writing styles with her own painted decorations and embroidery. Some feature original poetry and prose by Inglis, while others reimagine familiar printed texts in more than twenty different scripts. Many of these manuscripts also contain self-portraits, the earliest known examples by a woman in Britain.

About the speaker

Anna-Nadine Pike is Project Curator of ‘Esther Inglis 2024’ at Edinburgh University Library. The university will launch a new online exhibition of Esther Inglis’ manuscripts in October 2024. Anna-Nadine Pike is also a doctoral student at the Centre for Medieval and Early Modern Studies, University of Kent.

This event highlights manuscripts by Esther Inglis in our exhibitions, ‘Treasures of the National Library of Scotland’ and ‘Renaissance: Scotland and Europe’.

Host or Publisher National Library of Scotland