| Administrative History | The University of Aberdeen Oral History Archive was begun in 1985 as part of the Aberdeen University Quincentenary Project. Interviews with former students, staff and other individuals connected with the University were originally intended to aid historians working on monographs commemorating the University's Quincentenary, which was celebrated in 1995, but the considerable historical value of these first interviews has encouraged the University to extend the project beyond this date. The programme of interviews was organised by the then University Archivist, Colin McLaren, with assistance from the editors of the Quincentenary History Project, Dr Jennifer Carter and Professor John Hargreaves. |
| Custodial History | The tapes were created under the auspices of the University Quincentenary History Project. |
| Description | This archive currently comprises interviews with nearly 200 individuals connected with the University. The interviews contain personal information about each individual and reflect on the history, structure, constitution and development of the University. They provide unrivalled glimpses into the lives of those connected with the institution, from remarkably detailed memories of graduates of the 1920s and 30s describing landladies, digs and food, through to ex-Principals and Heads of Department recounting their first hand experiences of university government at the highest level.
The interviews bring unique personal perspectives to the impact on the University of two world wars, the rapid expansion of the 1960s, reductions in funding in the 1980s and events such as the Quincentenary in 1995, right up to the present. They detail changes in the social history of Aberdeen and the surrounding area, together with developments in, for example, medicine, psychology, education, law and music, set in a wider educational and social context. Anyone interested in individual personalities or the history of the University will find facts and anecdotes to add to the more formal records, statistics and other written works.
In addition to the oral interviews are written reminiscences sent in to the project team by former students and some supplementary recordings.
The University of Aberdeen cannot vouch for the factual accuracy of the interviews which are recorded and held as part of the Oral History Archive. The opinions which are expressed within each interview are the responsibility of the interviewee and do not represent the viewpoint of the University. If you have any concerns relating to an oral history interview please contact the University Archivist. |