Alexander Morrison (headmaster)
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Alexander Morrison | |
|---|---|
| Born | 3 February 1829 |
| Died | 31 May 1903 (aged 74) |
| Occupation(s) | Educator, headmaster |
| Spouse | Christina Morrison née Fraser (m. 1855) |
| Children | 7 (4 sons, 3 daughters) |
Alexander Morrison (3 February 1829 – 31 May 1903) was a Scottish-born educator who was the headmaster of the Scotch College (Melbourne) for 47 years.[1]
Early life and education
[edit]Alexander first taught in Scottish institutions in Moray, Scotland, and later at the Elgin Academy, King's College, and the University of Aberdeen.[1] He began teaching at Elgin Academy 3 years after graduating, later becoming rector of St John's Grammar School, Hamilton for three years. During this period, enrolment at the school doubled from 194 to 397.[2]
In 1855, Morrison married a bartender named Christina Fraser. The following year, after the resignation of the inaugural headmaster, Robert Lawson, Morrison accepted the position of headmaster at Scotch College. Morrison emigrated aboard the Essex with his wife, son, and younger brother Robert (who later became vice-principal at Scotch College from 1869–1904).[2] They arrived in Melbourne on 25 July 1857, and a week later Morrison began his duties.[3]
Career in Australia
[edit]When Morrison arrived in Melbourne, there were 56 pupils (50 day boys and six boarders) at Scotch College.[3] By 1870, enrolments had passed 300. Following a severe illness in 1874, Morrison was granted a year's leave of absence and left to visit Europe. He was appointed to the council of the University of Melbourne in 1878,[3] and attended meetings regularly.
In November 1876, Morrison moved the motion at the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria that led to the founding of Ormond College at the University of Melbourne, and he heavily influenced Francis Ormond in his endowment of the college.[3] He worked to obtain subscriptions when the college was instituted, was elected chairman of the trustees, and presided at the opening ceremony on 18 March 1881. In his earlier years at Scotch College, Morrison taught classes in several subjects, but as the school grew, his work became largely focused on administration.[citation needed]
The University of Aberdeen conferred on Morrison the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws in 1876.[4] He was the author of A First Latin Course.[3]
Legacy
[edit]Morrison's 47-year tenure at Scotch College saw significant progress for the college and its students, with a larger proportion passing university examinations in 1870 than at any previous point in the college's history.[5] He trained and encouraged Frank Shew (1851–1934), who joined the staff in 1870 and taught for 53 years.[6] Other masters included Weigall, Alexander Sutherland, and W. F. Ingram.
Morrison died suddenly from heart failure on 31 May 1903 in Melbourne. He was survived by four sons and three daughters.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "History - Scotch College". www.scotch.vic.edu.au. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
- ^ a b French, E. L., "Alexander Morrison (1829–1903)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, retrieved 21 December 2023
- ^ a b c d e f "Obituary - Alexander Morrison - Obituaries Australia". oa.anu.edu.au. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
- ^ "Australian Schoolmasters". Australian Town and Country Journal. 1 September 1888. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
- ^ "THE SCOTCH COLLEGE". Illustrated Australian News for Home Readers. 3 January 1870. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ "Obiturary". The Argus (Melbourne). 16 June 1934. p. 20. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
- E. L. French, 'Morrison, Alexander (1829 - 1903)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 5, MUP, 1974, pp 295–297. Retrieved 2009-10-18
- Serle, Percival (1949). "Morrison, Alexander". Dictionary of Australian Biography. Sydney: Angus & Robertson.
