Rector of the University of Aberdeen

The Lord Rector of the University of Aberdeen is the students' representative and chairman in the University Court of the University of Aberdeen. The position is rarely known by its full title and most often referred to simply as "Rector". The Rector is elected by students of the University and serves a three year term. Although the position has existed since 1495, it was only officially made the students' representative in 1860. [cite web|url=http://www.abdn.ac.uk/mediareleases/archive/2002/pr993.hti|title=Press Release|publisher=University of Aberdeen|date=May 08, 2002]

The position exists in common throughout the ancient universities of Scotland with Rectorships in existence at the Universities of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and St Andrews. The position is given legal standing by virtue of the Universities (Scotland) Act 1889 and is the third office of precedence in the university (following the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor / Principal). Rectors also appoint a Rector's Assessor, who may carry out their functions when they are absent from the University.

The 1996 election was unusual in that one of the two candidates (who lost by approximately 100 votes) had recently completed studies at the University, highlighting the fact that there is no rule preventing a member of the student body from standing for the post. ["Gaudie" (Aberdeen University student newspaper), May 1996]

Since 2005 the position has been held by Robin Harper MSP, Co-convenor of the Scottish Green Party.

Rector's Assessor

Each Rector appoints a Rector's Assessor to the University Court. He or she acts (with the support of the president of the Students' Association) as the Rector’s representative when the Rector cannot be present.

In the 2007-08 academic year, James Michael Wilson (a first-year Politics and International relations student at the University) is Rector's Assessor. [ [http://www.abdn.ac.uk/ppg/index.php?id=52&top=2#members Court ] ]

List of Rectors

Rector of King's College, Aberdeen

* 1637–? : Arthur Johnston [Nicola Royan, 'Johnston, Arthur (c.1579–1641)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 http://0-www.oxforddnb.com.catalogue.ulrls.lon.ac.uk:80/view/article/14934, accessed 9 Sept 2007]
* 1639–1644 : William Guild [R. P. Wells, 'Guild, William (1586–1657)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 http://0-www.oxforddnb.com.catalogue.ulrls.lon.ac.uk:80/view/article/11720, accessed 9 Sept 2007]
* 1651–? : Andrew Cant [W. G. Blaikie, 'Cant, Andrew (1584/1590–1663)', rev. R. P. Wells, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 http://0-www.oxforddnb.com.catalogue.ulrls.lon.ac.uk:80/view/article/4563, accessed 9 Sept 2007]
* 1677–1682 : John Menzies [G. W. Sprott, 'Menzies, John (1624–1684)', rev. R. P. Wells, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 http://0-www.oxforddnb.com.catalogue.ulrls.lon.ac.uk:80/view/article/18565, accessed 9 Sept 2007]
* 1805–1814 : Sylvester Douglas, 1st Baron Glenbervie [Roland Thorne, 'Douglas, Sylvester, Baron Glenbervie (1743–1823)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 http://0-www.oxforddnb.com.catalogue.ulrls.lon.ac.uk:80/view/article/7918, accessed 9 Sept 2007]
* 1827-1837 : John Arbuthnott, 8th Viscount of Arbuthnott [G.E. Cokayne; with Vicary Gibbs, H.A. Doubleday, Geoffrey H. White, Duncan Warrand and Lord Howard de Walden, editors, "The Complete Peerage of England, Scotland, Ireland, Great Britain and the United Kingdom, Extant, Extinct or Dormant, new ed.", 13 volumes in 14 (1910-1959; reprint in 6 volumes, Gloucester, U.K.: Alan Sutton Publishing, 2000), volume I, page 185. Cited at [http://www.thepeerage.com/p1662.htm thePeerage.com: A genealogical survey of the peerage of Britain as well as the royal families of Europe - Person Page 1662] ]
* 1838–? : Lord Francis Egerton [G. C. Boase, 'Egerton , Francis, first earl of Ellesmere (1800–1857)', rev. H. C. G. Matthew, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 http://0-www.oxforddnb.com.catalogue.ulrls.lon.ac.uk:80/view/article/8585, accessed 10 Sept 2007] ["The Times", Friday, Nov 10, 1843; pg. 3; Issue 18451; col D]
* 1857–? : John Inglis [Gordon F. Millar, 'Inglis, John, Lord Glencorse (1810–1891)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 http://0-www.oxforddnb.com.catalogue.ulrls.lon.ac.uk:80/view/article/14403, accessed 10 Sept 2007]

Rector of Marischal College, Aberdeen

* 1663–? : George Meldrum [T. F. Henderson, 'Meldrum, George (1634?–1709)', rev. John Callow, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 http://0-www.oxforddnb.com.catalogue.ulrls.lon.ac.uk:80/view/article/18524, accessed 9 Sept 2007]
* 1664-? : Arthur Rose [Tristram Clarke, 'Ross , Arthur (1634–1704)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 http://0-www.oxforddnb.com.catalogue.ulrls.lon.ac.uk:80/view/article/24116, accessed 10 Sept 2007]
* 1770–? : Alexander Fordyce [Jacob M. Price, 'Fordyce, Alexander (bap. 1729, d. 1789)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 http://0-www.oxforddnb.com.catalogue.ulrls.lon.ac.uk:80/view/article/9876, accessed 9 Sept 2007]
* ?–1792 : William Fordyce [G. T. Bettany, /Fordyce, Sir William (1724–1792)', rev. Caroline Overy, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 http://0-www.oxforddnb.com.catalogue.ulrls.lon.ac.uk:80/view/article/9880, accessed 9 Sept 2007] ]
* 1809–? : William Grant [D. R. Fisher, 'Grant, Sir William (1752–1832)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 http://0-www.oxforddnb.com.catalogue.ulrls.lon.ac.uk:80/view/article/11292, accessed 10 Sept 2007]
* 1824–1825 : Joseph Hume [V. E. Chancellor, 'Hume, Joseph (1777–1855)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 http://0-www.oxforddnb.com.catalogue.ulrls.lon.ac.uk:80/view/article/14148, accessed 9 Sept 2007]
* 1826–1827 : Sir James McGrigor [ H. M. Chichester, 'McGrigor, Sir James, first baronet (1771–1858)', rev. J. S. G. Blair, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 http://0-www.oxforddnb.com.catalogue.ulrls.lon.ac.uk:80/view/article/17525, accessed 9 Sept 2007]
* 1835–? : John Abercrombie [Nick Hervey, 'Abercrombie, John (1780–1844)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 http://0-www.oxforddnb.com.catalogue.ulrls.lon.ac.uk:80/view/article/37, accessed 9 Sept 2007]
* 1841–? : Sir James McGrigor [ H. M. Chichester, 'McGrigor, Sir James, first baronet (1771–1858)', rev. J. S. G. Blair, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 http://0-www.oxforddnb.com.catalogue.ulrls.lon.ac.uk:80/view/article/17525, accessed 9 Sept 2007]
* 1845–? : Sir Archibald Alison
* 1848–? : Patrick Robertson, Lord Robertson [G. F. R. Barker, 'Robertson, Patrick, Lord Robertson (1794–1855)', rev. H. J. Spencer, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 http://0-www.oxforddnb.com.catalogue.ulrls.lon.ac.uk:80/view/article/23809, accessed 9 Sept 2007]
* 1851–1853 : Archibald Montgomerie [Mary S. Millar, 'Montgomerie, Archibald William, thirteenth earl of Eglinton and first earl of Winton (1812–1861)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 http://0-www.oxforddnb.com.catalogue.ulrls.lon.ac.uk:80/view/article/19057, accessed 9 Sept 2007]
* 1853–? : George Howard, 7th Earl of Carlisle [Ian Machin, 'Howard, George William Frederick, seventh earl of Carlisle (1802–1864)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 http://0-www.oxforddnb.com.catalogue.ulrls.lon.ac.uk:80/view/article/13902, accessed 9 Sept 2007]
* 1854–? : William Henry Sykes [B. B. Woodward, 'Sykes, William Henry (1790–1872)', rev. M. G. M. Jones, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 http://0-www.oxforddnb.com.catalogue.ulrls.lon.ac.uk:80/view/article/26871, accessed 9 Sept 2007]
* 1855–? : Austen Henry Layard [Jonathan Parry, 'Layard, Sir Austen Henry (1817–1894)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Sept 2004; online edn, May 2006 http://0-www.oxforddnb.com.catalogue.ulrls.lon.ac.uk:80/view/article/16218, accessed 9 Sept 2007]

Rector of the University of Aberdeen

* 1860–? : Edward Francis Maitland [Gordon F. Millar, 'Maitland, Edward Francis, Lord Barcaple (1808–1870)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Sept 2004; online edn, May 2006 http://0-www.oxforddnb.com.catalogue.ulrls.lon.ac.uk:80/view/article/17821, accessed 9 Sept 2007]
* 1863–1866 : John Russell, 1st Earl Russell ["The Times", Friday, Dec 25, 1863; pg. 7; Issue 24751; col B]
* 1866–1872 : Mountstuart Elphinstone Grant Duff
* 1872–1875 : Thomas Henry Huxley [Adrian Desmond, 'Huxley, Thomas Henry (1825–1895)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Sept 2004; online edn, May 2007 http://0-www.oxforddnb.com.catalogue.ulrls.lon.ac.uk:80/view/article/14320, accessed 10 Sept 2007]
* 1875–1878 : William Edward Forster
* 1878–1881 : Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery
* 1881–? : Alexander Bain ["The Times", Wednesday, Dec 31, 1884; pg. 3; Issue 31331; col C] [Graham Richards, 'Bain, Alexander (1818–1903)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 http://0-www.oxforddnb.com.catalogue.ulrls.lon.ac.uk:80/view/article/30533, accessed 9 Sept 2007]
* 188?–? : George Goschen ["The Times", Monday, Oct 22, 1888; pg. 8; Issue 32523; col B]
* 1890–? Alexander Bain ["Concise Dictionary of National Biography, 1992]
* 1890–1899 : Charles Gordon, 11th Marquess of Huntly [Obituary: The Marquess Of Huntly "Cock Of The North" "The Times", Monday, Feb 22, 1937; pg. 19; Issue 47615; col C]
* 1899–? : Donald Smith, 1st Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal ["The Times", Monday, Nov 06, 1899; pg. 12; Issue 35979; col C]
* 1902–1905 : Charles Ritchie ["The Times", Tuesday, Oct 06, 1903; pg. 7; Issue 37204; col F] ["The Times", Monday, Nov 13, 1905; pg. 9; Issue 37863; col A]
* 1905–1908 : Sir Frederick Treves ["The Times", Monday, Nov 13, 1905; pg. 9; Issue 37863; col A]
* 1908–? : H. H. Asquith ["The Times", Monday, Nov 02, 1908; pg. 11; Issue 38793; col A]
* 1914–1918 : Winston Churchill ["The Times", Saturday, Nov 10, 1917; pg. 3; Issue 41632; col F] [Paul Addison, 'Churchill, Sir Winston Leonard Spencer (1874–1965)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Sept 2004; online edn, May 2007 http://0-www.oxforddnb.com.catalogue.ulrls.lon.ac.uk:80/view/article/32413, accessed 10 Sept 2007]
* 1918–1921 : Weetman Pearson, 1st Viscount Cowdray ["The Times", Monday, Nov 11, 1918; pg. 4; Issue 41944; col G]
* 1921–1924 : Robert Horne [Obituary: Lord Horne "The Times", Wednesday, Sep 04, 1940; pg. 9; Issue 48712; col B] [Philip Williamson, 'Horne, Robert Stevenson, Viscount Horne of Slamannan (1871–1940)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Sept 2004; online edn, May 2006 http://0-www.oxforddnb.com.catalogue.ulrls.lon.ac.uk:80/view/article/33991, accessed 10 Sept 2007]
* 1924–1927 : Robert Cecil, 1st Viscount Cecil of Chelwood ["The Times", Monday, Nov 10, 1924; pg. 12; Issue 43805; col G]
* 1927–1930 : F. E. Smith, 1st Earl of Birkenhead
* 1930–1933 : Arthur Keith ["The Times", Monday, Nov 10, 1930; pg. 12; Issue 45666; col F]
* 1933–1936 : Walter Elliot ["The Times", Saturday, Nov 11, 1933; pg. 12; Issue 46599; col C]
* 1936–1942 : Sir Edward Evans ["The Times", Monday, Nov 16, 1936; pg. 10; Issue 47533; col C]
* 1942–1945 : Sir Stafford Cripps ["The Times", Monday, Nov 16, 1942; pg. 2; Issue 49394; col C]
* 1945–1948 : Eric Linklater ["The Times", Monday, Nov 12, 1945; pg. 7; Issue 50297; col C]
* 1948–1951 : John Buchan, 2nd Baron Tweedsmuir ["The Times", Monday, Nov 15, 1948; pg. 7; Issue 51229; col B]
* 1951–1954 : Jimmy Edwards ["The Times", Monday, Nov 12, 1951; pg. 2; Issue 52156; col F] [Veronica Davis, 'Edwards, James Keith O'Neill [Jimmy] (1920–1988)', rev., Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 http://0-www.oxforddnb.com.catalogue.ulrls.lon.ac.uk:80/view/article/39930, accessed 10 Sept 2007]
* 1954–1957 : Rhoderick McGrigor ["The Times", Tuesday, Dec 21, 1954; pg. 3; Issue 53120; col F] [Eric J. Grove, 'McGrigor, Sir Rhoderick Robert (1893–1959)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 http://0-www.oxforddnb.com.catalogue.ulrls.lon.ac.uk:80/view/article/34731, accessed 10 Sept 2007]
* 1957–1960 : John MacDonald Bannerman ["The Times", Saturday, Jan 25, 1958; pg. 8; Issue 54058; col D]
* 1960–1963 : Peter Scott ["The Times", Monday, Nov 14, 1960; pg. 6; Issue 54928; col A]
* 1963–1966 : Sir John Hunt ["The Times", Saturday, Nov 30, 1963; pg. 10; Issue 55872; col E]
* 1966–1969 : Frank George Thomson ["The Times", Saturday, Nov 19, 1966; pg. 8; Issue 56793; col D]
* 1969–1972 : Jo Grimond ["The Times", Saturday, Nov 29, 1969; pg. 1; Issue 57730; col E]
* 1972–1975 : Michael Barratt ["The Times", Friday, Nov 24, 1972; pg. 4; Issue 58640; col D]
* 1975–1978 : Iain Cuthbertson
* 1978–1981 : Sandy Gall ["Debrett's", June 2007 ]
* 1981–1984 : Robert J. Perryment ["The Times", Friday, Jan 18, 1985; pg. 12; Issue 62039; col F]
* 1985–1988 : Hamish Watt
* 1988–1990 : Willis Pickard ["Who's Who in Scotland", June 2006 ]
* 1991–1993 : Colin Bellcite web| url=http://www.scotsindependent.org/brown/colin_bell.htm| title=Dr Colin Bell| publisher=Scots Independent| accessdate=2008-08-17]
* 1993–1996 : Ian Hamilton ["The Herald", November 5, 1993; pg. 6]
* 1996–1998 : Allan Macartney (died whilst in office)
* 1998–2004 : Clarissa Dickson Wright ["Fat Lady beats rivals to take job of Rector" "The Scotsman", November 27, 1998; pg. 2] ["Clarissa Dickson Wright" "Aberdeen Press and Journal", November 15, 2001; pg. 4]
* 2005–2008 : Robin Harper ["New university rector vows to work hard for students" "Aberdeen Press and Journal", May 14, 2005; pg. 8] [cite web| url=http://www.abdn.ac.uk/mediareleases/release.php?id=253| title=Media Release: New Rector| publisher=University of Aberdeen| date=May 12, 2005| accessdate=2008-08-17]
* 2008- : Stephen Robertson [cite web| url=http://www.abdn.ac.uk/mediareleases/release.php?id=1336| title=| title=Media Release: Doric entertainer is new University Rector| publisher=University of Aberdeen| date=May 8, 2008| accessdate=2008-08-17]

References

ee also

* Aberdeen University Students' Association

External links

* [http://www.abdn.ac.uk/central/students/rector.shtml Aberdeen University official information about the Rector]