'Conundrums of the Workshops 1890'

This paper arose out of research that I carried out at Anderson’s library in what is now the university of Strathclyde. I examined the minute books there from the formation of Anderson’s university in 1798, and specifically at the formation of the mechanics class which was established by George Birkbeck in 1800 and which split from Anderson’s in 1823. I discussed three bodies or institutions: Anderson’s university, Anderson’s Mechanics’ class and the Glasgow mechanic’s class. I ended by concluding on what sort of improvement the class were aiming for—was it the country, or the people who form the country.