UpDate - Vol. 12, No. 5, Page 3                                
October 1, 1992                                                
Prominent Scottish author centenary exhibition in library      
                                                               
     One of the most prominent Scottish literary figures of the 20th 
century is the focus of "Hugh MacDiarmid: An Exhibition Celebrating  
the Centenary of His Birth," on view now through Dec. 18 in the      
Special Collections Exhibition Gallery of the Hugh M. Morris Library.
     The free public exhibit is open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Mondays     
through Fridays, and until 8 p.m., Tuesdays.                         
     Organized by Timothy Murray, head of the Special Collections    
Department, the exhibition celebrates the life and career of         
MacDiarmid and is accompanied by a 33-page exhibition catalog, which 
shares the exhibit's name.                                           
     MacDiarmid, born Christopher Murray Grieve on Aug. 11, 1892, is 
considered the most important Scottish author since Robert Burns and 
is generally credited with launching a Scottish Renaissance that     
embraced literature, art, politics and culture during the decades    
after World War I.                                                   
     In 1922, Grieve began writing under the pseudonym Hugh MacDiarmid  
as a way of demonstrating the qualities he felt were necessary for a 
regenerated Scottish literature. The work of MacDiarmid was well     
received, and with the publication of his masterpiece, A Drunk Man   
Looks at the Thistle in 1926, he earned his place as the leading     
Scottish author of his time.                                         
     MacDiarmid's lasting reputation as a writer was established by  
the 1930s. His earliest successes were with his Scottish lyrics      
     In all, more than 70 books were published under the authorship of        
MacDiarmid, Grieve or one of his other pseudonyms. That figure does  
not include all of the numerous pamphlets and small press editions of
his work that were produced.                                         
     The exhibition catalog is available for $20, plus $2.50 for     
postage and handling. The catalog printing was co-sponsored by the   
University of Delaware Library Associates, which is the friends group
of the University of Delaware Library, and the Unidel Foundation.    
     For further information on the exhibition, the catalog or the      
University of Delaware Library Associates, contact Susan Brynteson,  
director of libraries, telephone 831-2231.