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James Drever

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This article is about the first principal of the University of Dundee (born 1910). For his father and fellow psychologist, see James Drever (psychologist, born 1873).

James Drever
Born1910
Edinburgh
Died1991 (aged 80–81)
Dundee, Scotland
NationalityScottish
Occupation(s)Philosopher, psychologist, Principal
Known forFirst Principal of the University of Dundee

James Drever FRSE (1910–1991) was a Scottish academic who served as the first Principal of the University of Dundee. He has been described as 'one of the most pivotal figures in the university's history'.[1]

Early life and career

[edit]

James Drever was born to Orcadian parents in Edinburgh in 1910. His father was the academic James Drever (1873–1950), 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.[1][2][3][4] James Drever was educated at the Royal High School of Edinburgh,[5] 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. From 1934 he taught philosophy at Edinburgh, joining Newcastle University as a lecturer four years later. By this time he had an interest in Psychology and taught both subjects at Newcastle. In the Second World War he served in the Royal Navy.

In 1931 his father had been promoted at Edinburgh to become the first Professor of Psychology in Scotland. In 1944 the elder 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. In addition to his responsibilities as a professor and head of department, the younger Drever also served as Dean of the Faculty of Arts at Edinburgh from 1958 until 1960 and was a visiting professor at Princeton University from 1954 until 1955.[1][2][3][5][6]

Along with his father, and others, he was heavily involved in organising the 12th International Congress of Psychology, which met in Edinburgh in 1948. His father was elected president of the congress, but was unable to attend it due to ill health. Consequently, it was the younger Drever who delivered the presidential address his father had written on the theme of "Scottish psychology since Hume".[7]

Under James Drever's leadership from 1944 to 1966 the Psychology Department at Edinburgh increased in both size and stature and an "Honours School" in Psychology was fully established.[1][4] In 1963 the department left the premises it had been in since it was set up in 1906 and moved to new accommodation at 60, The Pleasance. As had been the case under his father's stewardship, the department's teaching included 'a strong philosophical element'.[4] During this period Drever established himself as a well known and highly respected Psychologist and served as president of the British Psychological Society.[1][2][4][5]

Robbins Committee and the University of Dundee

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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.[1] Drever and Sir David Anderson, the former director of the Royal College of Science and Technology were the only Scottish members of the committee.[8] Drever would later recall his work with the Committee included visiting the USSR where the committee was impressed with the detailed level of planning relating to education that was carried out. The resulting Robbins Report recommended the immediate expansion of university education in the United Kingdom. One result of this was the decision that Queen's College, Dundee, a part of the University of St. Andrews should become a university in its own right. 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. When the university was granted its charter the following year Drever formally became its principal and vice-chancellor.[1][9] Drever's appointment marked the first time a psychologist had obtained such a post in the United Kingdom.[4][10]

Principal of the University of Dundee

[edit]

It has been argued that in his role as principal, Drever "did much to establish the University of Dundee as a success".[11] The early years of the university's existence were difficult ones. Changes in government policy on higher education meant that the university was operating in an uncertain financial environment and cuts had to be made.[1] At the same time there were episodes of student discontent and protest. These included a student 24 work-in led by George Robertson in 1968, student occupations of the University Tower Building in 1971 and 1974, a student rent strike in 1973 (which Drever initially seemed to not only support, but to encourage) and various smaller protests. 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.[12] Drever's stance on Powell attracted media attention, with the Glasgow Herald comparing his actions to that of a 'gamekeeper-turned-poacher'.[13] While the aftermath of the 1973 rent strike, which saw the suspension of the Dundee University Students' Association's constitution by the University Court and threats to sue some of the strikers, caused some students to express a degree of ill-feeling towards Drever, others thought highly of him.[14]

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

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.[15]

While Principal of Dundee he served as Honorary President of the Abertay Historical Society.[16]

Drever retired as Principal in 1978 after 11 years in office, a period of service unmatched by any of his successors.[11] His 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.[2][17] The university holds, as an occasional event, a Drever Lecture in Psychology to commemorate him.[18]


Academic offices
Preceded by Master of Queen's College, Dundee
1966–1967 		Succeeded by
Himself as Principal of University of Dundee
Preceded by
New Position
 Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dundee
1967–1978 		Succeeded by

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Baxter, Kenneth. "A celebration of the 'founder' of the University of Dundee". Archives, Records and Artefacts at the University of Dundee. University of Dundee. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d "Emeritus Principal James Drever, Master of Queen's College 1966–1967, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dundee 1967–1978". Archive Services Online Catalogue. University of Dundee. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  3. ^ a b Buttars, Grant. "The Drever succession". Edinburgh University Archives. University of Edinburgh. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
  4. ^ a b c d e "History: Psychology". University of Edinburgh. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
  5. ^ a b c "Principal for Dundee University". The Glasgow Herald. 25 January 1966. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
  6. ^ "Scottish School of Educational Research". University of Edinburgh. Archived from the original on 25 June 2012. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
  7. ^ "The 12th International Congress of Psychology, Edinburgh 1948". Psychology Resources Around the World. Developed by International Union of Psychological Science. Archived from the original on 21 July 2015. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  8. ^ "Grants Urged for CA Apprentices". Glasgow Herald. 12 December 1961. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
  9. ^ Shafe, Michael (1982). University Education in Dundee: A Pictorial History. Dundee: University of Dundee. p. 142.
  10. ^ James Drever (1975). "The University and Manpower Needs". In Roche, Jean (ed.). The European Universities 1975-1985. Oxford: Pergamon Press. p. 39. ISBN 9781483138237.
  11. ^ a b Baxter, Kenneth, Rolfe, Mervyn, and Swinfen, David (2007). A Dundee Celebration. Dundee: University of Dundee. p. 17.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ Baxter, Kenneth, Rolfe, Mervyn, and Swinfen, David (2007). A Dundee Celebration. Dundee: University of Dundee. pp. 35–36.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ "Powell and the Principal". The Glasgow herald. 17 October 1969. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
  14. ^ Baxter, Kenneth, Rolfe, Mervyn, and Swinfen, David (2007). A Dundee Celebration. Dundee: University of Dundee. p. 36.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  15. ^ Brown, Michael (13 November 1971). "Putting an emphasis on academic flexibility". The Glasgow Herald. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  16. ^ "MS 21/2/15/2 Material relating to the Society's membership and meetings". Archive Services Online Catalogue. University of Dundee. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  17. ^ "Principal James Drever (1910–1991)". ArtUK. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  18. ^ "Professor Richard Wiseman to give Drever Lecture 2007". Press Release Archive. University of Dundee. 21 September 2007. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
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