Rector of the University of Aberdeen facts for kids

The Lord Rector of the University of Aberdeen is a special person who represents the students at the University of Aberdeen. Think of them as the students' main voice and leader in the university's important meetings, called the University Court. Most people just call them the "Rector".

Students at the university vote for the Rector, and the person elected serves for three years. This job has been around since 1495, but it only officially became the students' representative in 1860.

The role of Rector is common in older Scottish universities, like those in St Andrews, Glasgow, and Edinburgh. The University of Dundee also has a Rector because of its past connections to St Andrews. The Rector is a very important position, ranking third in the university after the Chancellor and the Principal. Rectors can also choose a special helper called a Rector's Assessor.

Sometimes, students themselves run for Rector. In 1996 and 2018, students who had recently studied at the university ran for the job. This showed that anyone, even a student, can try to become Rector. It also brought up the idea that sometimes famous people run, which might make the job seem less connected to everyday student life.

What Does a Rector's Assessor Do?

Each Rector chooses a helper called a Rector's Assessor. This person gets a permanent seat in the University Court. They help the Rector and can act on their behalf if the Rector can't be there.

The Rector's Assessor also sits on important committees that deal with planning, money, and student issues. They are a key contact person for students to share their ideas and concerns with the university's leaders. They also help manage the Rector's presence both on campus and online.

In 2007–2008, a student named James Michael Wilson became the Rector's Assessor for Robin Harper. He was the youngest person ever to hold this position at the University of Aberdeen.

Recent Elections for Rector

The 2011 Election

The first election in mid-2011 had some problems, so it was cancelled. New nominations were opened later that year. Six people ran for the position. On November 10, 2011, it was announced that Dr. Maitland Mackie had won the most votes and would become the new Rector.

The 2014 Election

After Maitland Mackie passed away while in office, another election was held in November 2014. Two candidates ran. Maggie Chapman won with 67% of the votes. Maggie Chapman is a politician who focuses on social justice. She promised to work on student housing, keep tuition free, improve student services, and make sure the university helps society. She served as Rector until 2021.

Who Has Been Rector?

Here is a list of some of the people who have been Rector of the University of Aberdeen. Before 1860, the university was made up of two separate colleges: King's College and Marischal College.

Rectors of King's College, Aberdeen

• 1637–? : Arthur Johnston
• 1639–1644 : William Guild
• 1651–? : Andrew Cant
• 1677–1682 : John Menzies
• 1805–1814 : The 1st Baron Glenbervie
• 1827-1837 : The 8th Viscount of Arbuthnott
• 1838–1857 : Lord Francis Egerton, M.P.
• 1857–? : John Inglis

Rectors of Marischal College, Aberdeen

• 1664–? : The Most Rev. Dr Arthur Rose
• 1673–? : George Meldrum
• 1679– : Patrick Sibbald
• 1688–1691 : Dr William Blair
• 1714–1715 : John Urquhart, Laird of Meldrum
• 1720–1723 : Sir William Forbes
• 1723–1726 : Thomas Forbes
• 1726–1729 : Patrick Duff
• 1729– : William Duff of Braco
• 1732– : Sir Alexander Ramsay of Balmain
• 1737– : George Skene
• 1761–1764 : Sir Arthur Forbes, 4th Baronet, of Craigievar
• 1764–1770 : John Gray
• 1770– : Alexander Fordyce
• 1782–1788 : Cosmo Gordon of Cluny
• 1788–1790 : Francis Garden of Gardenstown
• 1790–1792 : Sir William Fordyce
• 1792 - 1794: Sir William Forbes, Bt, of Pitsligo
• 1794–1796 : James Ferguson, M.P.
• 1796–1798 : Alexander Allardyce of Dunnotar, M.P.
• 1798–1800 : Sir Alexander Ramsay-Irvine of Balmain, 6th Baronet
• 1800–1802 : Sir William Forbes, 5th Baronet of Craigievar
• 1802–1809 : Alexander Baxter of Glassel
• 1809–1814 : Sir William Grant, M.P., Master of the Rolls
• 1814–1819 : Charles Forbes of Auchmedden, M.P.
• 1820–1822 : The 4th Earl Fife
• 1822–1823 : Charles Forbes of Auchmedden, M.P.
• 1823–1824 : The 4th Earl Fife
• 1824–1826 : Joseph Hume, M.P.
• 1826–1828 : Sir James McGrigor
• 1828–1829 : Joseph Hume, M.P.
• 1830–1831 : Charles Forbes of Auchmedden, M.P.
• 1831-1832 : The 18th Earl of Erroll
• 1832–1833 : Sir Michael Bruce of Stenhouse, 8th Baronet
• 1833–1834 : Sir Charles Forbes of Newe and Edinglassie, Bt
• 1834–1836 : Alexander Bannerman, M.P.
• 1836–1837 : Dr John Abercrombie
• 1837–1838 : John, Lord Lyndhurst
• 1838–1839 : Henry Brougham, 1st Baron Brougham and Vaux
• 1839–1840 : John Campbell Colquhoun of Killermont
• 1840–1841 : Sir George Sinclair of Ulbster
• 1841–1842 : Sir James McGrigor, 1st Baronet
• 1842–1843 : Sir John Herschel
• 1843-1845 : The 2nd Marquess of Breadalbane
• 1845–1848 : Archibald Alison, Sheriff of Lanarkshire
• 1848–1849 : Lord Robertson
• 1849–1851 : John Thomson Gordon
• 1851–1853 : The 13th Earl of Eglinton
• 1853–1854 : The 7th Earl of Carlisle
• 1854–1855 : Colonel William Henry Sykes, M.P.
• 1855–1858 : Austen Henry Layard, M.P.
• 1858-1859 : The 5th Earl Stanhope

Rectors of the University of Aberdeen

• 1860–1863 : Edward Francis Maitland
• 1863–1866 : The 1st Earl Russell, who was a Prime Minister
• 1866–1872 : M.E. Grant Duff, M.P.
• 1872–1875 : Thomas Henry Huxley
• 1875–1878 : W.E. Forster, M.P.
• 1878–1881 : The 5th Earl of Rosebery
• 1881–1884 : Prof. Alexander Bain
• 1884–1887 : Prof. Alexander Bain
• 1887–? : George Goschen, M.P.
• 1890–1899 : The 11th Marquess of Huntly
• 1899–? : The 1st Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal
• 1902–1905 : Charles Ritchie, M.P.
• 1905–1908 : Sir Frederick Treves
• 1908–1911 : H.H. Asquith, M.P., who was a Prime Minister
• 1911–1914 : Andrew Carnegie
• 1914–1918 : Winston Churchill, M.P., who later became a Prime Minister
• 1918–1921 : The 1st Viscount Cowdray
• 1921–1924 : Sir Robert Horne, M.P.
• 1924–1927 : The 1st Viscount Cecil of Chelwood
• 1927–1930 : The 1st Earl of Birkenhead
• 1930–1933 : Prof. Sir Arthur Keith
• 1933–1936 : Walter Elliot, M.P.
• 1936–1942 : Admiral Sir Edward Evans
• 1942–1945 : Sir Stafford Cripps, M.P.
• 1945–1948 : Eric Linklater
• 1948–1951 : The 2nd Baron Tweedsmuir
• 1951–1954 : Jimmy Edwards
• 1954–1957 : Admiral of the Fleet Sir Rhoderick McGrigor
• 1957–1960 : John MacDonald Bannerman
• 1960–1963 : Peter Scott
• 1963–1966 : Brigadier Sir John Hunt
• 1966–1969 : Frank George Thomson
• 1969–1972 : Jo Grimond, M.P.
• 1972–1975 : Michael Barratt
• 1975–1978 : Iain Cuthbertson
• 1978–1981 : Sandy Gall
• 1981–1984 : Robert J. Perryment
• 1985–1988 : Cllr. Hamish Watt
• 1988–1990 : Willis Pickard
• 1991–1993 : Colin Bell
• 1993–1996 : Ian Hamilton
• 1996–1998 : Dr Allan Macartney, M.E.P. (died whilst in office)
• 1998–2004 : Clarissa Dickson Wright
• 2005–2008 : Robin Harper, M.S.P.
• 2008–2011 : Stephen Robertson
• 2012–2014 : Maitland Mackie (died in office)
• 2014–2021 : Maggie Chapman
• 2022–present : Martina Chukwuma-Ezike

See Also

• Aberdeen University Students' Association
• Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen
• Principal of the University of Aberdeen
• Ancient university governance in Scotland