Reverend George MacLeod Lord MacLeod of Fuinary

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Biography of Reverend George MacLeod Lord MacLeod of Fuinary

Reverend George MacLeod

George Fielden MacLeod, Baron MacLeod of Fuinary (1895-1991) was University Rector from 1968 until 1971.

Born in Park Circus, on the hill overlooking the University, MacLeod studied at Oriel College, Oxford and, after serving with distinction in the First World War, at the University of Edinburgh. In 1924 he became the latest in a distinguished line of MacLeods who chose a vocation as ministers in the Church of Scotland. He forged a reputation as a tireless campaigner against poverty and social injustice while minister of Govan Parish Church, 1930 to 1938. In 1938 he founded the Iona Community, a multi-denominational religious community dedicated to restoring the early Christian church buildings on the island and to furthering the case for ecumenicalism. He was Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1957. In 1967 he was created a life peer.

MacLeod faced strong competition in the rectorial election of 1968. Lieutenant-Colonel Colin Mitchell, had recently found fame and gained the nickname "Mad Mitch" for his leadership of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in Aden; Daniel Cohn-Bendit ("Danny the Red") had been a leader of disaffected French students in 1968; Winnie Ewing had sensationally won the Govan by-election for the SNP in 1967, and Lady Elliot was the wife of the former rector, Walter Elliot.

Summary

Reverend George MacLeod Lord MacLeod of Fuinary
Minister and Founder of The Iona Community
Born 17 June 1895, Glasgow, Scotland.
Died 27 June 1991.
University Link: Rector
Occupation categories: clergy
NNAF Reference: GB/NNAF/P156622
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Record last updated: 1st Feb 2008