Papers of Reverend John Tulloch, Principal of the University of St Andrews, 1859-1886

Scope and Content

These papers comprise: Correspondence betwee Tulloch and GG Ramsay, 1881 (printed); Letter from Tulloch to JC Shairp, 1882; Latin poem on the death of John Tulloch [by Charles Wordsworth?], 1886; Tulloch Memorial Fellowship Fund papers, 1889-1892.

Administrative / Biographical History

John Tulloch (1823-1886) was educated at Perth Grammar School, Madras College and the Universities of St Andrews and Edinburgh. He was licensed as a minister of the Church of Scotland by the Presbytery of Perth in 1844 and served as assistant minister at South Church (St Paul's), Dundee, being ordained there in 1845. He was translated to Kettins in Angus in 1849. He was made DD of St Andrews in 1854 and appointed Principal of St Mary's College in 1854, in which post he remained until his death in 1886. Upon the departure of Sir David Brewster to take up his post as Principal of the University of Edinburgh in 1859 he became Senior Principal and thus functioned as Principal of the whole university by virtue of the terms of the Universities (Scotland) Act of 1858.

He was 'the most distinguished churchman of his time', none was more trusted in the Councils of the General Assembly. To him is due much of the modern prosperity of the Church of Scotland, in its legislation and initiation of important progressive movements of thought and action. On questions of University reform he was a shrewd and wise exponent. "He was a special favourite with and confidante of Queen Victoria' (Fasti, p. 423). He was appointed depute-clerk of the General Assembly in 1862, a Scottish Commissioner under the Education Act of 1872 and lectured in Canada and United States in 1874. He was appointed principal clerk of the General Assembly in 1875 and moderator in 1878, Dean of the Thistle in 1882 and St Giles Lecturer for 1884-5. He was granted the LL.D. (Glasgow) in 1879 and LL.D. (Edinburgh) in 1884.

Arrangement

The arrangement of this material reflects the original order in which it was received. These items are held at GB 227 UYSM250.

Access Information

By appointment with the Archivist.

Other Finding Aids

Hand list available.

Accruals

Unlikely.

Related Material

Reverend Principal Tulloch was also Principal of St Mary's College and papers of other officers and staff of St Mary's College can be found at GB 227 UYSM200-299.

Additional Information

This material is original.

Subjects