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{{short description|Scottish economist}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
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Sir '''Kenneth John Wilson Alexander''' {{Post-nominals|post-noms=[[Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh|FRSE]]}} (14 March 1922 – 2001) was a Scottish economist and university administrator.
{{Infobox officeholder
|honorific-prefix=[[Sir]]
⚫
| name = Kenneth Alexander
⚫
| image =
| caption =
⚫
| order =
| office1 = [[Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen|Chancellor]] of the <br/>[[University of Aberdeen]]
| term_start1 = 1986
| term_end1 = 1996
| predecessor1 = [[Henry Hepburne-Scott, 10th Lord Polwarth|The Lord Polwarth]]
| successor1 = [[David Wilson, Baron Wilson of Tillyorn|The Lord Wilson of Tillyorn]]
| office2 = Principal of<br/>the [[University of Stirling]]
| term_start2 = 1981
| term_end2 = 1986
| predecessor2 =
| successor2 =
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1922|03|14}}
| birth_place = [[Edinburgh]], [[Scotland]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|2001|03|27|1922|03|14}}
| death_place =
| education = [[George Heriot's School]]
| alma_mater = Bonar School of Economics, Dundee
| residence =
| profession = economist, university administrator
| religion =
| spouse = Angela-May Lane
| children = One son and four daughters
| signature =
| website =
| footnotes =
⚫
}}
⚫
'''Sir Kenneth John Wilson Alexander''' {{Post-nominals|post-noms=[[Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh|FRSE]]}} (14 March 1922 &ndash; 27 March 2001) was a Scottish economist and university administrator. He also had strong links to the Scottish steel and shipbuilding industries.


==Life==
He was born in [[Edinburgh]], the son of William Wilson Alexander. He was educated at [[George Heriot's School]] and [[University College, Dundee]].<ref name="Waterston">{{cite book
He was born in [[Edinburgh]], the son of William Wilson Alexander. He won a scholarship to [[George Heriot's School]] and then, after service in the RAF in the [[Second World War]], studied at the Bonar College of Economics in Dundee (part of [[University College, Dundee]]) graduating with first class honours in 1949.<ref name="Waterston">{{cite book|author=Waterston, Charles D.|author2=Macmillan Shearer, A.|title=Former Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh 1783-2002: Biographical Index|volume=I|date=July 2006|publisher=[[The Royal Society of Edinburgh]]|location=Edinburgh|isbn=978-0-902198-84-5}}</ref> He did postgraduate research at [[Leeds University]] 1949 to 1951 then lectured at [[Sheffield University]] until 1956 when he moved to lecture at [[Aberdeen University]].<ref>Guardian (newspaper) 30 March 2001</ref>
|last1=Waterston
|first1=Charles D
|last2=Macmillan Shearer
|first2=A
|title=Former Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh 1783-2002: Biographical Index
|url=http://www.rse.org.uk/fellowship/fells_indexp1.pdf
|accessdate=10 February 2011
|volume=I
|date=July 2006
|publisher=[[The Royal Society of Edinburgh]]
|location=Edinburgh
|isbn=978-0-902198-84-5}}</ref>


Alexander was Professor of Economics at [[Strathclyde University]] (1963&ndash;80). In 1964 he was invited to deliver the inaugural [http://www.iesis.org/marlow.html Marlow (Scotland) Lecture] to the [[Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland]]. He chose the subject 'Casual Labour and Labour Casualties'. Alexander was invited by the Labour government to chair a review of the future of adult education in Scotland. This report was published in 1975 under the title ''Adult Education: The Challenge of Change.'' Its main recommendation was to create a wider community education approach by linking adult education more closely with youth and community work, in order to be able to engage more people in lifelong learning. This led to the creation of local authority community education services.{{Citation needed|date=February 2013}}
In 1963 Alexander was created the first Professor of Economics at [[Strathclyde University]] (1963&ndash;1980). In 1964 he was invited to deliver the inaugural Marlow (Scotland) Lecture to the [[Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland]]. He chose the subject 'Casual Labour and Labour Casualties'. Alexander was invited by the Labour government to chair a review of the future of adult education in Scotland. This report was published in 1975 under the title ''Adult Education: The Challenge of Change.'' Its main recommendation was to create a wider community education approach by linking adult education more closely with youth and community work, in order to be able to engage more people in lifelong learning. This led to the creation of local authority community education services.{{citation needed|date=February 2013}}


In the 1960s he was brought in to resolve and rescue several Glasgow shipyards. He was Director of [[Upper Clyde Shipbuilders]], Chairman of [[Govan Shipbuilders]] and Director of [[Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company]]. This ceased the restrictive practices introduced by the unions in exchange for guaranteed employment. He was also at the forefront of the economic reasoning to save [[Ravenscraig steelworks]].<ref>Guardian (newspaper) 30 March 2001</ref>
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He was seconded as Chairman of the [[Highlands & Islands Development Board]] (1976&ndash;??). He served as the Principal of [[Stirling University]] (1981&ndash;86), and the Chancellor of [[Aberdeen University]] (1986&ndash;96). Alexander was Vice-president of the [[Royal Society of Edinburgh]] (1993-6).

In 1976 he succeeded Sir [[Robert Grieve (town planner)|Robert Grieve]] as Chairman of the [[Highlands & Islands Development Board]] (1976&ndash;1980). He was also a Director of [[Scottish Television]] and the [[Stakis Hotels|Stakis Organisation]]. He was Chairman of the Committee on Adult Education in Scotland and in this role wrote the '''Alexander Report''' (1976). He was Chairman of the [[Edinburgh Book Festival]] from 1987 to 1991.

⚫
He left Strathclyde to serve as the Principal of [[Stirling University]] (1981&ndash;1986), and the Chancellor of [[Aberdeen University]] (1986&ndash;1996). Alexander was Vice-president of the [[Royal Society of Edinburgh]] (1993&ndash;1996).

Alexander received an Honorary Doctorate from [[Heriot-Watt University]] in September 1995.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hw.ac.uk/services/docs/honorary-graduates-1966-present.pdf|title=Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh: Honorary Graduates|last=|website=www1.hw.ac.uk|accessdate=15 November 2018}}</ref>

At Aberdeen he was responsible for creation of the Elphinstone Institute: promoting the study of culture in north-east Scotland.<ref>Guardian (newspaper) obituary April 2001</ref>

He died following a long illness on 27 March 2001.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12179023.sir-kenneth-alexander-hard-working-academic-who-was-rarely-out-of-the-headlines/ |title=Sir Kenneth Alexander Hard-working academic who was rarely out of the headlines |work=[[The Herald (Glasgow)|The Herald]] |location=Glasgow |date=28 March 2001 |access-date=14 January 2023}}</ref>

==Family==

He married Angela May Lane in 1949.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2001/mar/30/guardianobituaries2|author=Charlie Allan|title=Sir Kenneth Alexander|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=29 March 2001|accessdate=15 November 2018}}</ref> They had one son and four daughters.

==Publications==

*''Economics in Business'' (1967)


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


{{S-start}}
{{Persondata
{{s-aca}}
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| NAME = Alexander, Kenneth
{{S-bef| before = [[Henry Hepburne-Scott, 10th Lord Polwarth|The Lord Polwarth]]}}
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
{{s-ttl|title = [[Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen|Chancellor]] of the [[University of Aberdeen]]|years = 1986–1996}}
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Scottish economist
{{s-aft|after= [[David Wilson, Baron Wilson of Tillyorn|The Lord Wilson of Tillyorn]]}}
| DATE OF BIRTH = 14 March 1922
{{s-end}}
| PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Edinburgh]]

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| DATE OF DEATH = 2001
{{authority control}}
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| PLACE OF DEATH =

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}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Alexander, Kenneth}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Alexander, Kenneth}}
[[Category:1922 births]]
[[Category:1922 births]]
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[[Category:Scottish knights]]
[[Category:Scottish knights]]
[[Category:Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh]]
[[Category:Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh]]
[[Category:People from Edinburgh]]
[[Category:Knights Bachelor]]
[[Category:Academics from Edinburgh]]
[[Category:People educated at George Heriot's School]]
[[Category:People educated at George Heriot's School]]
[[Category:Alumni of the University of Dundee]]
[[Category:Alumni of the University of Dundee]]
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[[Category:Scottish civil servants]]
[[Category:Scottish civil servants]]
[[Category:Scottish economists]]
[[Category:Scottish economists]]
[[Category:Royal Air Force personnel of World War II]]

[[Category:Presidents of the Saltire Society]]

{{Scotland-academic-bio-stub}}
{{UK-economist-stub}}

Latest revision as of 13:28, 26 June 2024

Sir
Kenneth Alexander
Chancellor of the
University of Aberdeen
In office
1986–1996
Preceded byThe Lord Polwarth
Succeeded byThe Lord Wilson of Tillyorn
Principal of
the University of Stirling
In office
1981–1986
Personal details
Born(1922-03-14)14 March 1922
Edinburgh, Scotland
Died27 March 2001(2001-03-27) (aged 79)
SpouseAngela-May Lane
ChildrenOne son and four daughters
EducationGeorge Heriot's School
Alma materBonar School of Economics, Dundee
Professioneconomist, university administrator

Sir Kenneth John Wilson Alexander FRSE (14 March 1922 – 27 March 2001) was a Scottish economist and university administrator. He also had strong links to the Scottish steel and shipbuilding industries.

Life

[edit]

He was born in Edinburgh, the son of William Wilson Alexander. He won a scholarship to George Heriot's School and then, after service in the RAF in the Second World War, studied at the Bonar College of Economics in Dundee (part of University College, Dundee) graduating with first class honours in 1949.[1] He did postgraduate research at Leeds University 1949 to 1951 then lectured at Sheffield University until 1956 when he moved to lecture at Aberdeen University.[2]

In 1963 Alexander was created the first Professor of Economics at Strathclyde University (1963–1980). In 1964 he was invited to deliver the inaugural Marlow (Scotland) Lecture to the Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland. He chose the subject 'Casual Labour and Labour Casualties'. Alexander was invited by the Labour government to chair a review of the future of adult education in Scotland. This report was published in 1975 under the title Adult Education: The Challenge of Change. Its main recommendation was to create a wider community education approach by linking adult education more closely with youth and community work, in order to be able to engage more people in lifelong learning. This led to the creation of local authority community education services.[citation needed]

In the 1960s he was brought in to resolve and rescue several Glasgow shipyards. He was Director of Upper Clyde Shipbuilders, Chairman of Govan Shipbuilders and Director of Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company. This ceased the restrictive practices introduced by the unions in exchange for guaranteed employment. He was also at the forefront of the economic reasoning to save Ravenscraig steelworks.[3]

In 1976 he succeeded Sir Robert Grieve as Chairman of the Highlands & Islands Development Board (1976–1980). He was also a Director of Scottish Television and the Stakis Organisation. He was Chairman of the Committee on Adult Education in Scotland and in this role wrote the Alexander Report (1976). He was Chairman of the Edinburgh Book Festival from 1987 to 1991.

He left Strathclyde to serve as the Principal of Stirling University (1981–1986), and the Chancellor of Aberdeen University (1986–1996). Alexander was Vice-president of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (1993–1996).

Alexander received an Honorary Doctorate from Heriot-Watt University in September 1995.[4]

At Aberdeen he was responsible for creation of the Elphinstone Institute: promoting the study of culture in north-east Scotland.[5]

He died following a long illness on 27 March 2001.[6]

Family

[edit]

He married Angela May Lane in 1949.[7] They had one son and four daughters.

Publications

[edit]
  • Economics in Business (1967)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Waterston, Charles D.; Macmillan Shearer, A. (July 2006). Former Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh 1783-2002: Biographical Index. Vol. I. Edinburgh: The Royal Society of Edinburgh. ISBN 978-0-902198-84-5.
  2. ^ Guardian (newspaper) 30 March 2001
  3. ^ Guardian (newspaper) 30 March 2001
  4. ^ "Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh: Honorary Graduates" (PDF). www1.hw.ac.uk. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  5. ^ Guardian (newspaper) obituary April 2001
  6. ^ "Sir Kenneth Alexander Hard-working academic who was rarely out of the headlines". The Herald. Glasgow. 28 March 2001. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  7. ^ Charlie Allan (29 March 2001). "Sir Kenneth Alexander". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
Academic offices
Preceded by Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen
1986–1996 		Succeeded by
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