On this day in 1451 a Papal Bull from Pope Nicolas IV enabled the foundation of Glasgow University.

The university had been requested by King James II and championed by Bishop William Turnbull. The building was modelled on the University of Bologna and became Scotland's second university, forty years after the founding of St Andrews.

Today in 1758 saw the death of poet Allan Ramsay snr. While not regarded as a great poet, Ramsay's "return to nature" style had a deep influence on both Robert Burns and Walter Scott. Author of the play, The Gentle Shepherd, Ramsay also founded Britain's first travelling library.

Today's recipe: enjoy a warming sweet and spicy soup. Spiced sweet potato soup.