Alexander William Mair

Alexander William Mair (9 June 1875–13 November 1928) was a 20th century Scottish scholar who was a professor of Greek at the University of Edinburgh. He was an authority on the works of the Greek poet Hesiod.

Life

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The grave of Alexander William Mair, Morningside Cemetery

Mair was born in Edinburgh on 9 June 1875, the son of Rev Alexander Mair of the United Presbyterian Church. The family lived at 7 Abbotsford Park in the Morningside district.[1] He studied Classics at the University of Cambridge.

In 1899/1900 his father served as the final Moderator of the General Assembly of the United Presbyterian Church.[2]

He was a Fellow of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge.[3]

In 1908 he took up the position of professor of Greek at the University of Edinburgh, succeeding Samuel Henry Butcher.[4]

He died in a house fire at his home, 9 Corennie Drive, in Morningside, Edinburgh on 13 November 1928, in his study. He is buried in Morningside Cemetery, Edinburgh.[5]

After his death, his position at the university was filled by Arthur Wallace Pickard-Cambridge.

Family

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Mair married Elizabeth Mackay Bisset (1882-1950).[6] Together they had 13 children including: Gilbert Mair (the oldest), Gwen, Eileen, Enid, Colin, Hugh (died in infancy) Katharine (1908-1998) and the rugby player Norman Mair (the youngest).

Publications

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  • Hesiod: The Poems and Fragments (1908)
  • Callimachus and Lycophron (1921)
  • Poems by Alexander william Mair (1929)
  • Works and Days
  • Fragments and the Shield of Herakles
  • Fragments and Theogony

References

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  1. ^ Edinburgh Post Office Directory 1875
  2. ^ Grave of Rev Alexander Mair, Morningside Cemetery
  3. ^ "Merchistonian Club". www.merchistonians.co.uk. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  4. ^ "Greek - Our History". ourhistory.is.ed.ac.uk. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  5. ^ Scotsman (newspaper) 14 Nov 1928
  6. ^ Grave of A W Mair, Morningside Cemetery