Chapter 16 Domestic, family and social activities and a social history intrusion

Abstract

Most of the following is based on C. J. Gregory's (unpublished mss) account of life at home in Glasgow, unless otherwise stated, except for the author's additions in square brackets []. Although the account of social customs might seem superfluous, these have changed so much that correctly appreciating the setting in which Gregory lived and worked, requires their inclusion. There is no question that his home activities throw very significant light on his amazing continued productivity right up to, and even after, formal retirement. [On the west, slightly less smokey, side of Glasgow, lay the new 1870 university buildings which capped Gilmore Hill. East of the university was the steep-sided Kelvin River valley and then the ground rose sharply to the next hill to the east, which was partly covered by relatively expensive] late 19th century tall solid sandstone terraces, three or four stories high (each with high ceilings) plus basements and attics and crowned by Park Circus and partly surrounded by Kelvingrove Park. Most of the terraces were divided vertically into spacious houses for the well-to-do, but along the northern edge stood a short row of tenements, Park Quadrant, including Number 4 into which the Gregorys moved. This was Gregory's home for over 25 years (Figs 16.1 & 16.2). Fig. 16.1. Aerial view in the early 2000s, looking south, of Park Quadrant and Park Circus (after cleaning of the stone) showing the hilltop situation. Park Quadrant is the short incomplete north-facing row in the foreground with Number 4 near the middle, being the only front slightly obscured by a tree. With acknowledgements to Colin Baxter Photography Ltd, Grantown-on-Spey, PH26 3NA. Fig. 16.2. Close-up of the outside front of 4 Park Quadrant, taken in 2005, after the stone had been cleaned. Courtesy of Professor B. J. Bluck. In Scotland, since 1693, a tenement …