Robert Rait
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Sir Robert Sangster Rait (10 February 1874 – 25 May 1936) was a Scottish historian, Historiographer Royal and
Principal of the University of Glasgow The Principal of the University of Glasgow is the working head of the University of Glasgow, University, acting as its chief executive. He is responsible for the day-to-day management of the university as well as its strategic planning and admin ...
.


Early life

Rait was born in 1874 in Narborough, Leicestershire to Scottish parents, although the family moved shortly afterwards to his parents' hometown of
Aberdeen Aberdeen ( ; ; ) is a port city in North East Scotland, and is the List of towns and cities in Scotland by population, third most populous Cities of Scotland, Scottish city. Historically, Aberdeen was within the historic county of Aberdeensh ...
.''1881 Scotland Census'' He was educated at the
University of Aberdeen The University of Aberdeen (abbreviated ''Aberd.'' in List of post-nominal letters (United Kingdom), post-nominals; ) is a public university, public research university in Aberdeen, Scotland. It was founded in 1495 when William Elphinstone, Bis ...
, graduating MA in 1894. He then worked briefly as an assistant to the Professor of Logic at the university, publishing his first book, ''Universities of Aberdeen: A History'', in 1895, before being elected to an Exhibition in Modern History at
New College, Oxford New College is a constituent college of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1379 by Bishop William of Wykeham in conjunction with Winchester College as New College's feeder school, New College was one of the first col ...
, in 1896. He was awarded First Class Honours, won the Stanhope Prize and was elected a fellow of the college the same year. He worked as a lecturer at the college for three years, and in 1903 became a tutor.


Glasgow

In 1913, Rait was appointed to the newly created Chair in Scottish History and Literature at the
University of Glasgow The University of Glasgow (abbreviated as ''Glas.'' in Post-nominal letters, post-nominals; ) is a Public university, public research university in Glasgow, Scotland. Founded by papal bull in , it is the List of oldest universities in continuous ...
, funded through the proceeds of the 1911 Scottish Exhibition of National History, Art, and Industry, held in the adjacent
Kelvingrove Park Kelvingrove Park is a public park located on the River Kelvin in the West End of the city of Glasgow, Scotland, containing the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. History Kelvingrove Park was originally created as the West End Park in 1852, a ...
. In this role he sought to engage more closely with students than was traditional for academics at the time, inviting students to tea at his home. From 1915 to 1918 during the First World War, Rait worked at the War Trade Intelligence Department in London, and was appointed a CBE in 1918. In 1919, he was appointed Historiographer Royal of Scotland, also serving for a time as Dean of the Faculty of Arts in the university. He became a prominent figure in the intellectual and cultural life of the city, frequently contributing letters and articles to the Glasgow Herald, often anonymously. In 1929, Rait succeeded Sir Donald MacAlister as Principal of the university. In this role he sought continue the close relationship he had developed with students as a professor, relocating the Principal's office to the Main Building of the university, where it remains today, making his time more freely available to students and staff, and frequently entertaining guests at the Principal's Lodging. He was an immensely popular figure with students. After being knighted in 1933, he was met on his return from London to Glasgow Central station by hundreds of students and escorted to the university in a carriage drawn by Blues and led by the band of the OTC. The depression of the 1930s had a heavy effect on the university financially and on the Principal's health. In September 1935, he developed a serious illness, during which time he was largely unable to carry out his duties and was deputised at Court by the Rector, Sir Iain Colquhoun. He died at the Principal's Lodging on 25 May 1936.


Research

Rait's research generally maintained a Scottish focus, particularly with a reference to the politics of pre-Union Scotland and its relationship with
England England is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Great Britain, of which it covers about 62%, and List of islands of England, more than 100 smaller adjacent islands. It ...
, although he also completed biographies of Field Marshal Viscount Gough and Field Marshal Sir Frederick Haines. Publications: *''Universities of Aberdeen; a History'', 1895 *''The Scottish Parliament'', 1901 *''Relations between England and Scotland'', 1901 *''Lusus Regius, unpublished writings of King James I'', 1901 (ed.) *''Five Stuart Princesses'', 1902 *''Life and Campaigns of Field Marshal Viscount Gough'', 1903 *''Life of Field Marshal Sir Frederick Paul Haines'', 1911 *''Scotland'', in ''The Making of the Nations'' Series, 1911 *''Acts and Ordinances of the Interregnum, 1642–1660'' (with Prof. Sir C. H. Firth), 1911 *''Life in the Mediæval University'' (Cambridge Manuals), 1912 *''History of Scotland'' (Home University Library), 1914 *''Thoughts on the Union between England and Scotland'' (with Professor A. V. Dicey), 1920 *''The Parliaments of Scotland'', 1924 *''Memorials of
A. V. Dicey Albert Venn Dicey, (4 February 1835 – 7 April 1922) was a British Whig jurist and constitutional theorist. He is most widely known as the author of '' Introduction to the Study of the Law of the Constitution'' (1885). The principles it expou ...
'', 1925 *''Critical Moments in British History'', 1925
''King James's Secret''
(with Annie I Cameron), 1927 *''History of the Union Bank of Scotland'', 1930 *''Scotland'' (with G. S. Pryde), 1934


Personal life

Rait married Ruth Bridge in 1908, with whom he had two daughters. He was a member of the Athenæum in London, the
Glasgow Art Club Glasgow Art Club is a club in Glasgow for artists and non-artists interested in creating art and the enjoyment of art - all illustrative arts, sculptures, poetry, prose, plays, music, song, choreography and dance. To advance, promote and encourag ...
, the Western Club, Glasgow and the University Club, Edinburgh.


References


External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Rait, Robert Sangster 1874 births 1936 deaths Alumni of the University of Aberdeen Alumni of New College, Oxford Academics of the University of Glasgow Principals of the University of Glasgow Commanders of the Order of the British Empire Knights Bachelor 20th-century Scottish historians Historians of the British Empire Historians of the British Isles People from Narborough, Leicestershire 19th-century Scottish historians