Eric Melvin takes us through the story of Duncan Napier.
Duncan’s story is one of real courage in adversity. His journals describe a very tough childhood. A chance encounter with an Edinburgh lawyer, the philanthropist John Hope, rescued him from a life of toil, poverty and despair.
Thanks to John Hope, Duncan received an education; was introduced to Christianity and was persuaded to give up alcohol.
Another stroke of luck introduced Duncan to herbalism and it is John Hope who helped him open his first shop in 1860.
This illustrated talk will recount Duncan’s struggles against the odds to succeed and in doing so, give a rare authentic working – class description of life in the overcrowded Old Town of Edinburgh.
As always these are free but donations are welcome.
