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Archives and Special Collections: Iain Banks

Collection information

Collection: Iain Banks Archive

Collection reference: GB 0559 IB

Biographical information:

Iain Menzies Banks (1954-2013) was born in Fife and educated at the University of Stirling, where he studied English Literature, Philosophy and Psychology, graduating in 1975. His first novel The Wasp Factory was published in 1984. Throughout his literary career he wrote both mainstream fiction (including The BridgeThe Crow Road and Whit) as Iain Banks, and science fiction (including the hugely influential and prescient Culture series, which began in 1987 with Consider Phlebas) as Iain M. Banks. He was awarded an Honorary Degree by the University of Stirling in 1997.

Contents:

The Iain Banks Archive consists of three main sections:

  • Early drafts, manuscripts and proof copies of novels
  • Folders for each novel containing files relating to publication and promotion; press cuttings; and fan mail
  • A collection of 200+ foreign editions of Banks' novels

Extent: 30 boxes; 200 books

Catalogue information

Further collection details are available on our online archives catalogue.

Additional collection information

Custodial history:

Material from the collection was deposited with the University of Stirling Archives by the estate of Iain Banks in 2013 and 2018.

Access conditions:

Access to the Iain Banks Archive is only permitted with the express permission of the estate of Iain banks. All requests for access to the archive to be addressed to the University of Stirling Archives in the first instance by email to archives@stir.ac.uk 

 

Iain (M) Banks: Two Authors, One Man

In the spring of 2024 a group of Stirling students produced an exhibition on the work of Iain Banks which was displayed in the University Library. Find out more about this project here.

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Using the collection

Archives Reading Room

Opening Hours:

10.00 am - 1.00 pm / 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm

Monday - Friday

Contact us:

Tel. 01786 466619

Email: archives@stir.ac.uk

Please contact us in advance of your visit. Material can be ordered in advance by emailing us at archives@stir.ac.uk