A former Senior Vice-Principal of the University of Glasgow has been appointed as the new chairman of the National Library of Scotland. 

Distinguished academic Sir Drummond Bone, currently Chair of the Wordsworth Trust, said he was excitied to help develop the library as it heads towards its centenary in 2025. 

Educated at Ayr Academy, Glasgow University and Balliol College, Oxford, Sir Bone began his career as a professor of English, noted particularly for his work on Byron. 

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His first appointment was at the University of Warwick but in 1980 he returned to Glasgow. After 20 years at the University of Glasgow, he became Principal at Royal Holloway University of London, Vice-Chancellor at Liverpool and Master of Balliol College from which he retired in 2018. 

The Herald:

Sir Drummond Bone

Sir Bone was President of Universities UK and Chair of the UK Libraries Research Reserve Project. He was Chair of the Liverpool Capital of Culture Company, Vice-Chair of the Northern Way and Chair of its Science and Innovation Committee, sat on the CBI's Technology and Innovation Committee, and has been a consultant to many organisations involved in international Higher Education. He chaired the Arts and Humanities Research Council, retiring in 2021.

Sir Bone said: “As a frequent user of the Library last century, I am excited about helping its development in the 21st century, heading towards its centenary in 2025.

"It’s a new world for libraries, with the opportunity in the digital world to reach so many more people, with so much of interest to share.”

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Culture Minister Jenny Gilruth added: “I warmly congratulate Sir Drummond Bone on his appointment as Chair of the National Library of Scotland.

"He has had an illustrious career as an expert in English literature and is a known specialist on the works of Byron – a legendary writer who spent his childhood in Scotland and who has a strong presence in the National Library’s collections.

“Sir Drummond Bone has also held impressive leadership roles in the wider culture sector and this highly relevant experience will be invaluable to the National Library as it approaches its centenary in 2025.”