Alastair Mann gained a degree from Napier University, Edinburgh. He worked in publishing for twelve years before undertaking a further degree and PhD at the University of Stirling, where he currently works as a lecturer in Scottish History. He is author of The Scottish Book Trade 1500 to 1720 (Saltire Research Book of the Year 2001), co-editor of Parliament and Politics in Scotland, 1567 - 1707 and co-editor of The History of the Book in Scotland, Volume 1: Medieval to 1707. He is also co-editor of the Records of the Parliaments of Scotland to 1707.