James Cummyng 1732-1793

James CUMMYNG 1732-1793

Biographical Note

He was the Keeper of the Lyon Records in Edinburgh, and first Secretary of the Society of Scottish Antiquaries. He authored a paper on Scottish coins of the fifteenth century, which was published in the Society's first volume of Archaeologia Scotica. He was an associate of George Paton, with whom he corresponded on genealogical and historical matters. Further research is required into his life.

Books

Cummyng was a collector of objects of antiquity and natural history as well as books. His library contained a wealth of printed books and manuscripts on heraldry, as well as history, emblems, and coins. History books printed in the eighteenth-century are particularly well represented.

His library was sold at auction in 1032 lots over multiple nights, beginning 1st July 1793 in Edinburgh.

Sources

• Adv MSS 29 3 8, 29 5 5-8, ‘1762-89: corresp with George Paton.’ National Library of Scotland
• A catalogue of valuable books, manuscripts, curiosities, &c. belonging to the deceased Mr James Cummyng, Keeper of the Lyon Records and secretary to the Society of Scottish Antiquaries... Edinburgh, 1793. ESTC T163682
• Cummyng, James. ‘A Disquisition into the proper Arrangement of the Silver Coins, applicable to the First Four James’s Kings of Scotland,’ Archaeologia Scotica, 1, (1792); 199-205.