Here, we share some of the stories we have found so far, about St Andrews students and alumni who were in some way connected to British colonialism and empire in the period 1700 to 1900. Suggestions for more stories would be very welcome!
At his death in 1889, David Berry left £100,000 to the University of St Andrews. At the time, it was by far the largest donation the University had ever received, and it helped the University out of very significant…
Alexander Berry (1781-1873) was born on 30 November 1781, to a Cupar farming family. He attended Cupar Grammar School, then studied at the University of St Andrews from 1796-1798, followed by a year studying medicine…
By all accounts, George Hill (1750-1819), principal of St Mary’s College in the University of St Andrews, and Church of Scotland minister, was affable, intelligent and eloquent. He is remembered as an influential…
The story behind the Guthrie Scholarship and Cheape Bursaries at the University of St Andrews is one of interconnected influential families, immense business wealth, and exploitative imperial labour systems. In 1865,…
What did the students at St Andrews in the nineteenth century think about slavery, colonialism and empire? Unless they wrote or spoke publicly about it, it’s difficult to say… The archives of the University tend to be…
John Gray was unusual for being one of the very few repeat donors to the University, funding a university prize, bursary and Chair between 1794 and his death in 1811. While scholars have taken an interest in Gray for…
A donor to the University of St Andrews, alumnus Andrew Bell’s life began in the ‘Auld Grey Toon’, and he travelled around the world, from North America to India, being shipwrecked along the way. His employment as a…
Charles Stuart Grace (1859-1936) was born in St Andrews to Stuart Grace, a solicitor and bank agent, and Jesse Ranken Playfair. He attended Madras College and Fettes College in Edinburgh, then studied at United College…
Robert Mackenzie Smeaton (1845-1910) was born in St Andrews to David James Smeaton (or Smitton; d. 1871), a local headmaster, and Elizabeth Charlotte née Mackenzie (d. 1903). He attended the University and graduated…
William Smith (c. 1799-1872) was born in Glasgow. He was briefly a student at the United College, St Andrews (c.1822) and around the same time, became a druggist and chemist on South Street, St Andrews. He was active…