Heritage appeal for writer's home

Experts hope to gain greater recognition for Carlyle's work

A bid is being made to have the former home of a Scottish writer designated a world heritage site.

The call comes at the start of a four-day conference in Dumfries on the life and works of Ecclefechan-born writer Thomas Carlyle.

The event organisers say he should be ranked alongside the likes of Robert Burns and William Shakespeare.

They believe his former home at Craigenputtock near Moniaive deserves recognition of its literary importance.

Carlyle was born in Ecclefechan in Dumfries and Galloway in 1795 in a property now owned and cared for by the National Trust for Scotland.

Many would say he has been marginalised from Victorian studies and studies in literature Dr Ralph Jessop

He attended the village school and nearby Annan Academy before studying at the University of Edinburgh where he later became rector.

His major works included The French Revolution and The History of Friedrich II of Prussia.

He died in London in 1881.

The Carlyle Conference 2008 will look at his impact on literature and culture in the 19th Century and beyond.

Some academics believe that his work does not receive the recognition or scrutiny it deserves.

Conference organiser Dr Ralph Jessop said his reputation had faded in the last 40 years.

Household name

He added: "Carlyle happens to be probably one of our most important Scottish writers.

"His influence was staggering and this is something that former generations were aware of - I would say probably going back four decades he was virtually a household name."

However, he said that many people had "lost sight of" his contribution over the years.

He said: "Many would say he has been marginalised from Victorian studies and studies in literature."