Biography of Sir Donald MacAlister 1st Baronet

Sir Donald MacAlister (1854-1934) was Principal of the University from 1907 to 1929 and Chancellor from 1929 until his death. He presided over a period of spectacular growth in academic departments and the University Chapel was one of several important new buildings completed during his time in office.

Born in Perth, MacAlister attended the Liverpool Institute. From 1873 to 1877 he studied Mathematics at St John's College, Cambridge, where he became a member of the Cambridge Apostles and, in 1877, a Fellow of St John's. After a brief period teaching Mathematics at Harrow School, he studied Medicine at Cambridge, St Bartholomew's Hospital and (for a short time) at Leipzig. In 1881 he became Linacre Lecturer and deputy to the Regius Professor of Physic. He graduated MD in 1884 and became Senior Tutor at St John's from 1893 to 1904.

MacAlister was appointed Principal in 1907 and embarked on an ambitious building programme and the establishment of more than twenty new chairs. He was a member of the General Medical Council for forty-four years and President from 1904 until 1931. He was appointed KCB in 1908 and created a Baronet in 1924.

Summary

Sir Donald MacAlister 1st Baronet
Physician and Administrator
Born 17 May 1854.
Died 15 January 1934.
University Link: Chancellor, Principal, Vice-Principal
GU Degree:
Occupation categories: administrators; mathematicians; physicians
NNAF Reference: GB/NNAF/P147570
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Record last updated: 2nd Apr 2015

University Connections

University Roles

• Chancellor,
• Principal,
• Vice-Principal,
• Principal, 1907-1928
• Chancellor, 1930-1934

Buildings

• Memorial Chapel
• The Square, 13

On This Day Entries

• University Chapel (October 4 1929)

Images

Sir Donald MacAlister