| Administrative History | Thomas Murray Taylor, son of John Taylor, a cattle salesman from Keith, Moray, was born in Keith on 27 May 1897. After distinguished careers at Keith Grammar School and Aberdeen University, where he graduated M.A. with first-class honours in classics in 1919 and LL.B. in 1922, he was called to the Scottish Bar in 1924, appointed advocate depute in 1929 and senior advocate depute in 1934. He then returned to Aberdeen University to become professor of law in 1935, which chair he occupied until appointed Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University in 1948. In 1939 he married Helen M. Jardine, M.B., Ch.B., M.D. He died in 1962.
For a fuller account see a memorial volume 'Speaking to Graduates, Sir Thomas Murray Taylor', (ed) AM Hunter and W Lillie, Aberdeen University Study number 148, 1965. The volume also contains a selection of graduation addresses and a selection of sermons. |
| Description | Copies of published works by or concerning Taylor, 1946 - 1965; Manuscript or typescript addresses, mostly from graduation ceremonies, 1946 - 1962; Sermons, speeches or reviews, 1937 - 1961; Papers concerning the law, including the Scottish Amalgamated Silks prosecution, 1932, and activities as sheriff principal of Renfrew and Argyll, 1932 - 1949; Lectures delivered on law, 1935 - 1959; Legal opinions, 1936 - 1945; Notes and correspondence relating to meetings of the Aberdeen Association of University Teachers, 1950 - 1952; Correspondence relating to post as Principal, 1954; Negotiations with University Grants Committee, 1961 - 1962; Papers relating to Commission of Enquiry into Crofting Conditions, 1951 - 1961; Papers relating to other public works, 1956 - 1958; Drafts and correspondence relating to 'The Principles of the Scottish Reformation', address to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and other church matters, 1959 - 1960; Lecture notes as student, etc., letters to wife and family, general material, 1915 - 1962.
MSS. 2843/19-27, 1915 - 1962, is a collection of miscellanea; these include: lecture notes and addresses, etc., written when a student at Aberdeen University 1915 - 1922; honours, diplomas and warrants, with relevant correspondence; papers relating to appointment of chair in law at Aberdeen University; miscellaneous papers and correspondence relating to actions when Principal or official visits to Universities; letters to family and friends and to his wife before and after marriage; personal newspaper cuttings; notes on reading or excerpts for study. |
| Copyright | Subject to the condition of the original, copies may be supplied for private research use only on receipt of a signed undertaking to comply with current copyright legislation. Permission to make any published use of material from the collection must be sought in advance from the University Archivist and, where appropriate, from the copyright owner. Where possible, assistance will be given in identifying copyright owners, but responsibility for ensuring copyright clearance rests with the user of the material. |