The H. Johnston Collection
Henry Johnston (1842 – 1919) was a Scottish author of the Kaleyard School. His best-known work was his succession of novels, the Chronicles of Glenbuckie (1890), Kilmallie (1891), and Doctor Congalton’s Legacy (1896).
With their racy pictures of Ayrshire life, these stand in the same category as the earlier works of William Black, George Macdonald and J. M. Barrie. Johnston wrote a good deal more than novels.
Articles, tales, and poems from his pen were published in the pages of Blackwood, Good Words and other periodicals.
A collection of 33 published items, mostly the works of J.M. Barrie and Johnston himself – who were close friends – were given to the Library by Johnston’s daughter Jennie in 1968.
Two highlights among the Barrie material are the eight-volume The Novels, Tales and Sketches of J. M. Barrie (1896) and a first edition of My Lady Nicotine (1890).