Hispanic Studies

Hispanic Studies have been been taught at Edinburgh University since 1919/1920. In 1920, Leslie Bannister Walton (1895-1960) was appointed Forbes Lecturer in Spanish. In 1938 he became Reader in Spanish, remaining in post until his death in 1960. In 1947 the Department of Spanish became the Department of Hispanic Studies with the appointment of Margaret Crosland (d. 2006) as Forbes Lecturer in Hispanic Studies. Crosland became Senior Lecturer in 1962 and remained with the department until her retirement in 1980. The Forbes Chair of Spanish was created in 1962 with Alexander Augustine Parker (1908-1989) as the first appointee. In 1999 the Chair of Spanish was renamed the Chair of Hispanic Studies.

Professors of Spanish/Hispanic Studies

• 1963-1969: Alexander Augustine Parker (1908-1989)
• 1969-1989: Edward Calverley Riley (1923-2001)
• 1990-2004: Edwin Williamson
• 2004- : Jeremy Robbins (1965- )

Portuguese

Hispanic Studies at Edinburgh University cover not only Spanish and Latin American Studies, but Portuguese and Lusitanian language and culture. A lectureship in Portuguese has existed since 1988 when David G. Frier became the first appointee to the post.