Selected Papers

Welcome to my personal collection of selected papers. I’m Chris Whatley, Emeritus Professor of Scottish History at the University of Dundee, and throughout my career I’ve been fascinated by the complex tapestry of Scotland’s past—from the economic and social shifts of the seventeenth century to the enduring debates over national identity today.

I’ve had the privilege of exploring these themes in depth, and here are a few pieces that capture some of the ideas I’m most passionate about:

1. Nation-Building within a Union State: Scotland’s Frustrated Nationalism
   In Frustrated Nationalism: Nationalism and National Identity in the Twenty-First Century (edited by Gregory S. Mahler, State University of New York Press, 2024, pp. 79–101)
   In this paper, I delve into the intricate dynamics of Scotland’s nationalism within the context of a union state—a subject that continues to provoke lively debate and reflection.
2. “We’ll ne’er forget the people”: Burns and Politics, 1796-1945
   In The Oxford Handbook of Robert Burns (edited by Gerard Carruthers, Oxford University Press, 2024, pp. 405–420 – with Catriona M.M. Macdonald)
   Here, I explore the powerful interplay between the legendary poet Robert Burns and the political currents of his time, tracing the evolution of his influence from 1796 through to the mid-twentieth century.
3. Working Lives at the Pans: Skills, Serfdom – and the Salt Officers
   In Salt: Scotland’s Newest Oldest Industry (edited by Christopher A. Whatley and Jo Hambly, John Donald, 2023, pp. 34–49)
   This piece examines the often-overlooked aspects of Scotland’s industrial past, shedding light on the lives and labors that shaped our country’s development.
4. “Counting the ‘Cavaliers”: Two Contemporary Analyses of the Political Wing of the Scots Jacobite Underground in the Union Parliament
   Published in Parliamentary History, Volume 42, Issue 3 (2023, pp. 309–347 – with Daniel Szechi)
   In collaboration with Daniel Szechi, I take a close look at the political undercurrents within the Jacobite movement, revealing new perspectives on a pivotal era in Scottish political life.
5. “The Kirk’s Alarm”: Burns and the Presbyterians in Mid-Victorian Scotland
   Published in Burns Chronicle, Volume 131, Issue 1 (2022, pp. 1–20)
   This paper delves into the intricate relationship between Robert Burns and the Presbyterian community during mid-Victorian Scotland, offering insights into how cultural and religious identities intersected.
6. Afterword: “A Wrong Resenting People”: Writing Insurrectionary Scotland
   Published in Studies in Scottish Literature, Volume 46, Issue 1 (2020, pp. 58–73)
   In this reflective piece, I consider the narratives of insurrection and resistance, exploring how they have been written and re-written over time to capture the spirit of Scottish defiance.

My journey through Scottish history has been fueled by a deep commitment to understanding the forces—both celebrated and contentious—that have shaped our nation. Although this page presents only the titles and details of my selected papers, they reflect the insights and inspirations that have enriched my research over the years. If you’d like to discuss these ideas further, have any questions about my work, or wish to request copies of any of the papers, please feel free to reach out—I’d be delighted to share my research with you.