Glasgow’s New Lord Rector

Last week James Reid delivered his address to Glasgow University as its Rector. As might have been expected, his subject was “Alienation.” The election of Councillor James Reid as Lord Rector would have raised many eyebrows a few years ago. Until quite recent times the Lord Rectors, elected by the students, were men of eminence in politics or literature or war. Among those who wore the Rector’s gold-barred gown in the nineteenth century were Sir Robert Peel, Disraeli (who defeated John Ruskin) and Gladstone. Dickens was beaten by Bulwer-Lytton, but as the election took place just after his marriage bust-up, there was probably an element of moral censure in the voters’ verdict. In the present century, Rosebery, Bonar Law, Baldwin, Field Marshal Smuts of South Africa and President Poincaré of France have all delivered the rectorial address. Jimmy Reid, the Clydebank shipworker from John Brown’s yard, does not seem to fit easily into the line.

It is all the more odd that a year ago Jimmy Reid was totally unknown outside of Clydebank, except in one small though significant sphere. The crisis in Upper Clyde shipbuilding gave him his chance, and he became an instant folk hero.

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Colm Brogan

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Last week James Reid delivered his address to Glasgow University as its Rector. As might have been expected, his subject was “Alienation.” The election of Councillor James Reid as Lord Rector would have raised many eyebrows a few years ago. Until quite recent times the Lord Rectors, elected by the students, were men of eminence in politics or literature or war. Among those who wore the Rector’s gold-barred gown in the nineteenth century were Sir Robert Peel, Disraeli (who defeated John Ruskin) and Gladstone. Dickens was beaten by Bulwer-Lytton, but as the election took place just after his marriage bust-up, there was probably an element of moral censure in the voters’ verdict. In the present century, Rosebery, Bonar Law, Baldwin, Field Marshal Smuts of South Africa and President Poincaré of France have all delivered the rectorial address. Jimmy Reid, the Clydebank shipworker from John Brown’s yard, does not seem to fit easily into the line.

It is all the more odd that a year ago Jimmy Reid was totally unknown outside of Clydebank, except in one small though significant sphere. The crisis in Upper Clyde shipbuilding gave him his chance, and he became an instant folk hero.