Ab'erdeen', a royal burgh of Scotland, capital of Aberdeenshire and fourth largest city of Scotland. The city is beautifully laid out and has streets which are regular and well-paved. It contains many notable buildings, chief among which are the municipal and county buildings, the Music Hall buildings, the Trades' Hall, the Roman Catholic church, Cathedral of Saint Machar and a university. The university was established in 1860 by the union and incorporation of the University and King's College of Aberdeen and the Marischal College and University of Aberdeen. Its library contains 130,000 volumes. There are also numerous other colleges and schools, among which are Gordon's College, an art school and the Mechanics' Institution. Aberdeen has an excellent harbor, which facilitates trade and which is responsible for the extensive commerce. It is a large manufacturing center, the chief industries including woolen, cotton, jute and linen factories, large soap, candle, chemical and paper works, shipbuilding yards and establishments for preparing granite for all uses. In 1336 Aberdeen was burned by the English, but was rebuilt and named New Aberdeen. Its present prosperity began in 1818, when the art of granite polishing was rediscovered. Population in 1908, estimated, 178,210.