Aberdeen. I. New, the capital of the county of Aberdeen, Scotland, situated between the rivers Don and Dee, and near the mouth of the latter, 512 m. from London, and 114 m. N. by E.from Edinburgh; pop. in 1871, 88,125. It was styled New Aberdeen after its restoration in 1336, having been burned by Edward III. It is incorporated by royal charter granted by William the Lion in 1179. The public edifices, chiefly of granite, are the East and West church, the Marischal college, the royal infirmary, the town house and tolbooth or jail, the post office, mechanics' hall, and several others erected within the last few years. There is a fine one-arch bridge of 132 feet span over the river Dee, opening into Union street, which is 70 feet wide and a mile long, and is the chief thoroughfare of the city. Over the Don, at the N. end of the town, is a bridge of five arches and 75 feet span. There are about 50 religious edifices of all denominations, the largest number being Presbyterian. The East and West church is a noble pile 170 feet long, with a spire 150 feet high. The town house and tolbooth are situated in Castle street, and have a spire 120 feet high.

Marischal college, founded by George Keith, earl of Marischal, in 1593, has an observatory and good collection of instruments, a museum, and a fine library. Since 1858 it has been incorporated with King's college as the university of Aberdeen, which has now 21 professors and over 600 students. Gordon's hospital, founded in 1729 by Robert Gordon, is a school for boys, who are admitted from 8 to 11, and kept until 15 years of age, and on quitting the foundation are entitled to receive an apprentice fee of £10 or £7. The other charitable institutions are the royal infirmary and lunatic asylum, the general dispensary, two ophthalmic institutions, the Cruickshank asylum for the blind, Dr. Carnegie's hospital for destitute female children, the Midbellie fund for granting pensions of £5 to £15 to widows, and the female orphan asylum, which is supported by voluntary contributions, and whose inmates are trained for domestic service. The cross on the east of Castle street is a monumental structure of remarkable beauty. The market is commodious, built in two floors, with galleries running around the whole. The commerce and manufactures of Aberdeen are extensive. Ships of 1,000 to 1,500 tons are built here. Cotton manufactures employ 4,000 hands, linens and woollens each as many more.

The Aberdeen granite is used all over Great Britain, and largely exported. Aberdeen is actively engaged in the northern whale fishery. The Victoria dock has a water area of 40 acres. There are water works which supply the town from the river Dee. There is railway communication direct with London. The town is governed by a provost, four bailies, a dean of guild, and a treasurer, with 12 other members of council.

II. Old, a town of great antiquity, situated one mile N. of the new town, near the mouth of the Don; pop. about 2,000. . King's college, founded in 1494, is situated here.

Aberdeen from the Cross.