When this new departure for the university was announced, Hume Brown was described as "a man of new mark and likelihood among Scottish historical scholars" whose book Scotland before 1700 "presents a view of Scotland based entirely upon contemporary native sources". Before Hume Brown's inaugural address the principal expressed pleasure that "there was being introduced a fresh subject into the work of the University."
When this novel approach to the university was announced, Hume Brown was hailed as a groundbreaking figure in Scottish historical scholarship whose book "Scotland before 1700" offered a unique perspective based solely on contemporary native sources. Before his inaugural address, the principal expressed satisfaction that this new subject would be added to the university's curriculum.