learned Scots in Poland (from the mid-sixteenth to the close of the eighteenth century), The

Canadian Slavonic Papers, Mar 2001 by Anna Bieganska

Among the many Scots who arrived in Braniewo, there was Andrew Loch (d. 1637) of Melrose. He enrolled in the college in 1582. Two years later he moved to Vilnius. Finally he continued his studies at Jagiellonian University in Cracow. He made a name for himself as a versifier and panegyrist; his literary production is a perfect reflection of the epoch. Most of his prolific output in Latin, from 1594 to 1607, was published in Cracow. Loch stressed his nationality by placing "Scotus" after his surname; however, very frequently he was praised as a Pole and his surname was Polonized to "Lechius" or some other form. When the capital was moved permanently from Cracow to Warsaw in 1611, Loch's rhymes became popular among the magnates of north-east Poland. Even after leaving the country in order to reside in Scotland, his links with Polish aristocracy did not stop, as the following panegyric attests: Naeniae a diversis scriptae in Exequias Illustrissimi Principis Janussi Radivili (Lubeck, 1621).20

In general, Scottish scholars tended to focus their interests not on one, but on several subjects. Thus, the above-mentioned Andrew Aidy published not only theses on philosophical questions, but also dissertations on metals and mining.21 Similarly, George Joseph Davidson, besides being engaged in the composition of his religious-didactic works, also contributed to the publication of a valuable meteorological journal, entitled Postrzeienia meteorologiczne wraz z notami szczegolnych wydarzen, and expanded on the survey of Warsaw.22 Valentine Matthew-the two forenames were sometimes transposed-Tepper (c. 1746-1810), canon, iuris utriusque doctor and professor at Zamosc Academy from 1770 to 1784, lectured on a variety of subjects: orthography, syntax, logic, metaphysics and law. In addition to pursuing his academic interests, he was also concerned with the outlines of general geography, which was then regarded as natural law.23

Alexander Gibson (d. 1811), son of Archibald, was another Scot of multi-- sided interests. During his journeys abroad relating to his father's business, he eagerly observed Western methods of farming and up-to-date technical achievements. In 1750 Archibald applied for a discharge from his post in Gdansk and moved to London to begin a new career as a banker. Alexander followed his father's example in Gdansk. In 1777 he was ennobled by Friedrich Wilhelm (1744-1797) of Prussia; three years later he was appointed British diplomatic resident in Gdansk; in 1782 he purchased the Wejherowo-Rzucewo demesne and, after swearing fealty to the king, he was elevated to the rank of baron. In 1783 he drew up detailed and harsh regulations, in Polish and German, for the labourers and their obligations in the rural area of the demesne. Gibson planned the production of cloth, hats and stockings; thus, a special stress was put on the availability of wool, flax, hemp and rapeseed. He intended to settle Scottish colonists on his estate; however, he sold it before realizing his project and moved to Gdansk. He was also keenly interested in the optical telegraph, and in 1807 he achieved intercommunication between Gdansk and Wisloujscie.24