Top- of- class pensioner, 85, receives Phd
An 85- year- old retired engineer has shown it is never too late to learn after becoming the oldest person in Scotland to receive a PHD.
Alast a i r Maxwell- I r v i ng passed his PHD over Zoom just two days after his birthday following years of studying historical architecture.
The pensioner, from Blairlogie, Stirling, is the oldest person to graduate from Glasgow Caledonian University's ( GCU) after becoming a Doctor of Philosophy.
Mr Maxwell- I r ving, who owns more than 2,000 reference books, graduated from the University of London in 1957 with a degree in mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering. He worked for Weir Pumps before retiring in 1991.
The award has been made in recognition of a lifetime of historical research, which has included two books on the history of the Tower Houses of the Scottish Borders.
Mr Maxwell- Irving said he was ' honoured' to achieve the PHD in a subject which has fascinated him since he was a child. He said: "People ask me what I'm going to do with a PHD at 85 years old but I have plenty of other projects to keep me occupied.
"It is the culmination of many years of research on a subject that has fascinated me since childhood. I love the countryside and for years spent most of my weekends visiting sites, photographing them, and taking notes - through summer, winter, snow, and sunshine.
"Everyone at GCU has been so helpful, I can't thank them enough. The award is truly an honour."
Mr Maxwell- Ir ving served as an honorary assistant with the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland in his spare time for more than 40 years. His books focus on the histor
ic tower houses of the Scottish Borders, many of which date back to the 14th and 15th century.
Pr o f e s s o r Jo hn Le nnon, Dean of GCU'S Glasgow School for Business and Society, said:
"Achieving a PHD at any age is a triumph but this is a truly exceptional case and reaffirms our view that higher education should be accessible to all irrespective of age or any other factors.
"We a r e s o p l e a s e d D r A l a s t a i r Ma x we l l - I r v i n g chose GCU. Heartfelt congratulations from myself and all at GCU."