17 Facts About James Drever

James Drever FRSE was a Scottish academic who served as the first Principal of the University of Dundee.

James Drever has been described as 'one of the most pivotal figures in the university's history'.

James Drever was born to Orcadian parents in Edinburgh in 1910.

James Drever's father was the academic James Drever, who had studied at the University of Edinburgh from 1889, from which he graduated with an MA before proceeding to study medicine.

The elder Drever then worked at the university as assistant to the Professor of Education, before his appointment as Combe Lecturer and head of the Psychology Department at Edinburgh in 1918.

James Drever was educated at the Royal High School of Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh and the University of Cambridge and would remain in academia for the rest of his working life aside from a period of service in the Royal Navy.

In 1944 the elder James Drever retired, and it was his son who was chosen as his successor, but could not take the post until the end of the war.

James Drever's father was elected president of the congress, but was unable to attend it due to ill health.

Consequently, it was the younger James Drever who delivered the presidential address his father had written on the theme of "Scottish psychology since Hume".

James Drever had a strong interest in theories and practice of higher education and this led to his appointment to the Committee on Higher Education chaired by Lionel Robbins.

James Drever was an obvious candidate to lead this new institution and in 1966 was appointed as Master of Queen's College to oversee its transition in the University of Dundee.

James Drever's appointment marked the first time a psychologist had obtained such a post in the United Kingdom.

James Drever gave support to some of these protests and in 1969 actually encouraged students to oppose a planned visit to the university by Enoch Powell.

James Drever took an active role in establishing the University of Dundee Botanic Garden, which opened in October 1971.

James Drever oversaw the university developing increasing links with Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, with the art students receiving lectures at the university and the creation of a joint degree in Town Planning.

James Drever retired as Principal in 1978 after 11 years in office, a period of service unmatched by any of his successors.

James Drever's papers are now held by the university's Archive Services and the university's fine art collections include a portrait of Drever in his principal's robes painted by Alberto Morocco.