Classics Professor Appointed Chair of the National Library of Scotland

On Monday 13 October, University of St Andrews Professor Christopher Smith was announced to be the newest Chair of the National Library of Scotland. 

A member of the School of Classics, Professor Smith has worked with the University for over 30 years, and recently told The Saint that he looks forward to “bringing what I have learnt at St Andrews [...] to the National Library of Scotland.”

The institution is Scotland’s largest library, with over 34 million items. Its collections include rare books, manuscripts, maps, photographs, music, moving images, and official publications.

The National Library claims to be the “guardian of the printed and recorded memory of Scotland, held on behalf of the nation,” stating on their website that they “fulfil a statutory role as one of the nation’s most significant cultural and research organisations.”

The appointment — which will last four years, running from 1 January, 2026 to 31 December, 2029 — was declared by Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture Angus Robertson.

In a statement on LinkedIn, Roberston said: “Professor Smith has had an illustrious career both nationally and internationally, and I am pleased to appoint him as Chair of the National Library of Scotland. He has a wealth of experience gained at prestigious bodies such as the Arts and Humanities Research Council, the University of St Andrews, and the British School of Rome, and I look forward to working with him.”

Prior to this appointment, Professor Smith led an extensive career in research and scholarship, both nationally and internationally. He directed the British School at Rome from 2009 to 2017, held a Leverhulme Trust Major Research Fellowship for work on his book, The Roman Kings: A Study in Archaeology, History, and Power, between 2017 and 2020, and currently serves as Executive Chair of the Arts and Humanities Research Council, a position he will hold until August 2026.

Professor Smith is also the International Champion for UK Research and Innovation and is a member of the governing bodies of Science Europe and the Global Research Council, titles which provide Professor Smith with an international perspective on scholarship and diplomacy as he moves into his newest position. 

Following the news of his appointment, Professor Smith said:

“Libraries are the custodians of our past, places of wonder and discovery for everyone, whatever their age, and critical to a future in which knowledge and truth remain prized. I am deeply honoured to have the opportunity to work with the National Library of Scotland as it fulfils its mission for Scotland and beyond.”

As Chair, the Professor will be expected to lead the Board of Directors in communicating the vision and goals of the National Library to diverse audiences, maintaining the institution’s relevance in an increasingly digital landscape. 

In a statement from August, the National Library acknowledged that “The way people access culture using digital technology also continues to evolve, so we must keep innovating to meet demand and stay relevant.”

Professor Smith is aware of this demand for innovation as he approaches the assumption of his position, stating that he hopes to “continue the long tradition of stewarding the nation's record of its past into a digital future.” 

His appointment also comes in the wake of the National Library’s pledge to "address the silences” in their collections, analysing their inventory to identify under-represented communities and work towards creating a “more representative” national collection in the future.

Professor Smith addressed this need for improved representation, specifically mentioning the importance of diversity in contemporary scholarship: “Historians know how easy it is to lose our memory of the past,” Smith said. “We look for overlooked voices, and when we cannot find them, we feel their absence.”

As the beginning of his term approaches, Professor Smith relayed to The Saint that he looks forward to “working with other trustees and the CEO Amina Shah to start the Library's second hundred years.”

Image credited to UK Research and Innovation