University of Glasgow | Rector

The post of Rector was created at the establishment of the University by papal bull in 1451.

The Rector was originally the active head of the University, exercising jurisdiction over all its members. He was invariably a cleric. Under the nova erectio of 1577 he was made President of the Senate but was not a member of the Faculty. The office gradually became an honorary one, although until the end of the eighteenth century, the Rector occasionally exercised visitorial functions. From 1858, the Rector was President of the University Court. Since 1980, the rectors have increasingly become popular media figures albeit at times with clear agendas either for political change or improved student welfare.

The Rector was originally elected by the votes of the four nations or constituencies to which all the teachers and students were allocated according to their place of birth - originally Clydesdale, Teviotdale, Albany and Rothesay. Nations were abandoned in 1977. From 1858, the Rector was elected trienially by the matriculated students. The date of election was fixed by the original statutes for St Crispin's Day, October 25. Subsequently, it could be held on any day in the Candlemas term fixed by the University Court in consultation with the Senate.

There are few surviving records from the Rector's Office. Records include Rector's meeting' minutes 1701-1719 (ref: GB 0248 GUA 26633, 26637), rectorial addresses 1820-1996 and records of James Reid, Rector, 1971-1974 (ref: GB 0248 DC 455). Records of the Rector in his role as President of the Senate and, later the University Court, may also be found amongst the records of the Senate and Court (ref: GB 0248 GUA SEN, GB 0248 GUA C).

Relevant material may also be found scattered throughout the series known as the inventory series and the University's body of semi-current records. Ask the archivist for further information.

Authority record created according to the National Council on ArchivesRules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names (NCA Rules)1997 and International Council on Archives: Ad Hoc Committee on Descriptive StandardsInternational Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families (ISAAR) CPF1995.

Corporate name authority record compiled for the GASHE project by Victoria Peters, research archivist, 13 April 2004.