Glasgow the Second city of the Empire
Glasgow through the 19th Century was at the peak of its self-confidence. By the 1880s fine classical buildings as statements of power, of wealth and of confidence were appearing along fine new streets. And there is no greater example than The City Chambers. Built for £500K in 1893, the building today is priceless with the greatest example of Italian Marble and Tasmanian Rosewood. By the end of the century it was also claiming to be the best governed city in Europe. Its cultural life was vibrant and creative. We still today have the oldest Variety Theatre in the World. The “Glasgow Boys” were challenging conservatism in the world of art; its art patrons were among the first to purchase the work of French impressionists. Its many theatres were boldly presenting the innovative works of Ibsen and Chekhov while its music halls made or broke scores of comics. Its orchestras and choirs gained international reputations. Voluntary associations abounded and there were politics for all tastes and classes. Gilbert Scott’s towering spire rising on Gilmorehill in the 1880s marked a University which was attracting scholars of international distinction. The Kelvingrove Art Gallery brought together one of the country’s great art collections while its Mitchell Library was building up one of the largest public book holdings in Europe.