| Administrative History | Peter John Anderson was born in Inverness on 16 Sep 1852. He attended Inverness Academy and graduated from Aberdeen University, MA 1872, and Edinburgh University LL B 1876. His working life was spent almost wholly in the University of Aberdeen, first as University assistant in Natural Philosophy, 1873 - 1879; and subsequently, Examiner, 1880 - 1883; Assistant Registrar, 1883 - 1889; Rector's Assessor on the University Court, 1890 - 1893; University Librarian, 1894 - 1926; Clerk of the General Council, 1907 - 1926; and Registrar, 1918 - 1926. From 1880 - 1893 he also lectured at the Church of Scotland Training College, Aberdeen.
Through his dual roles as University Librarian and Secretary of the New Spalding Club, he secured the deposit in the University Library of many significant local manuscript and printed papers. After his death, on 12 May 1926, a memorial subscription was raised in the University, and a P.J. Anderson Memorial Lecture was founded in 1932. For appreciations of his life and works see Aberdeen University Review , 13 (1925 - 1926), 88, 168, 193, 260; Aberdeen University Review , 14 (1926 - 1927), 56, 184. and Colin A. McLaren, P.J. Anderson and the History of the University, P.J. Anderson Memorial Lecture, 1983 Aberdeen University Review 51 (1985-86), 83-101. |
| Custodial History | The papers were collected in connection with the preparation of 'Major Alpin's ancestors and descendants' (Aberdeen 1904). |
| Description | Correspondence and other papers relating to the Grant family, compiled by P.J. Anderson in the preparation of Major Alpin's Ancestors and Descendants (Aberdeen: privately printed, 1904), 1851 - 1904. The collection comprises original correspondence of James Grant of Glenmoriston, 1851; miscellaneous genealogical notes concerning the Grants and related families, with inscriptions from various burial grounds, n.d.; papers concerning publication of Mayor Alpin's Ancestors and Descendants (including correspondence from W. Jolly, printer) 1904; and 9 separate series of correspondence concerning histories of Grants and related families, 1891 - 1904.
Correspondents represented in the collection include C. Dunn, Manse of Birse; G. Ferries, Cluny Manse, Aberdeenshire; Isie Fraser, Toronto; John Gall, Inverness; J. Gammack, West Hartford; F.J Grant, Lyon Office (and other members of Grant family); Mrs Hunter and J.A.C. Hunter, Lochgilphead, Argyll; the India Office; Grant MacDonald, Toronto; K. MacDonald, Inverness; J. MacGregor, Dundee; J.W. Macintyre, Spean Bridge; Rev. J.A. MacKay, Castle Court, Boscome, Hants; W. McKay, Inverness; A.M. Mackintosh, Nairn; W. Macleod, Edinburgh; J.G. Michie, Dinnet; F. Munro, Fearn; P.C. Nicol, Helensburgh; J.L. Ross, Toronto; W. Simpson, Inverness; E. Smith, Edinburgh; and R.S. Woods, Chatham, Ontario. |