| Administrative History | Donald Withrington was born in North Berwick and attended the University of Edinburgh, before being appointed Lecturer to the History Department at the University of Aberdeen in 1964. He was appointed to a Senior Lectureship in Scottish History in 1969, and to a Readership in 1995. As well as his teaching responsibilities, Withrington wrote and spoke extensively on 18th and 19th-century Scottish society, religion and education. He was heavily involved in the 'Scottish Historical Review' and edited the modern edition of the 'Old Statistical Account of Scotland'.
His non-academic contribution to the University was considerable: he pioneered the modern Advisory system for undergraduate students and was President of the Johnston Hall Senior Common Room. Perhaps his most substantial contribution came in his 13 years as Schools Liaison Officer, (1976 - 1989), a part-time post in which he promoted not only the University of Aberdeen but also higher education in Scotland in general. It was during his tenureship of this post that the University's 'Prospectus' and 'Entrance Guide' were devised. He went travelling through the north of Scotland with a group of representatives of the University of Aberdeen. This expedition was held because of the quintcentery of Aberdeen University. He promoted the University as well as Higher Education on his travels.He also encouraged the exchange between American universities and Aberdeen University, a matter which was close to his heart and which he dedicated a lot of his time to. He was very supportive to students and his achivement for the Scottish higher education was of high importance. He died in 2003. |
| Custodial History | The records had been previously removed from Mr Withrington's university office to a study in the family home before deposit with Historic Collections. |