The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Renowned wit enhanced his reputation as uni figurehead
Actor and writer Stephen Fry was sworn in as the rector of Dundee University just over three decades ago.
Today’s picture – provided courtesy of the university’s archive services – shows the Blackadder and Wilde star speaking at a ceremony at the Bonar Hall in October 1992 to formally confirm his installation in the post, watched by Dundee’s then principal Michael Hamlin and its Fife-raised chancellor Sir James Whyte Black.
Uni archivist Ken Baxter tells us: “Stephen Fry had been elected as the seventh rector of the university earlier in 1992, defeating Scottish rugby legend David Sole in what was seen at the time as an upset result.
“He quickly proved to be a very popular rector. Despite his busy schedule, he took his responsibilities to represent the student body very seriously and student publications were full of praise for his efforts.
“It was also felt by many staff and students that he did much to raise the profile of the university beyond Scotland. Such was his popularity that he was unopposed when he stood for a second three-year term as rector in 1995, the first time this had ever happened in a rectorial contest in Dundee.
“His address at his installation, entitled Think of a Lobster, was seen as both highly entertaining and thoughtful and was reproduced as a publication soon afterwards. His term as rector ended in 1998, but his links with the university have continued.”
Dr Baxter goes on: “Sir James Black had become the university’s chancellor earlier in 1992. His association with the university started nearly 50 years earlier, in 1943, when he came to study at the medical school at the then University College, Dundee – at that time part of St Andrews University.
“He graduated in 1946 and was an assistant lecturer in physiology at University College before taking up positions at other universities. He later moved into industry and joined ICI Pharmaceuticals.
“He became head of biological research and deputy research director with Smith, Kline and French, returning to academic life in 1973 as professor of pharmacology at
University College London. His outstanding research career had many highlights, notably his role in the development of beta blockers.
“His vast contribution to the advancement of medical science led to a knighthood in 1981, and in 1988 he was jointly awarded the Nobel Prize for medicine for his contribution to ‘discoveries of important principles for drug treatment’.”
Kenneth ends: “When he was installed as chancellor at a ceremony in the Rep Theatre on April 29 1992, he commented that he felt he was ‘coming home’.
“He retired as chancellor in 2006 and died in 2010 – the Sir James Black
Centre at the university is named in his honour.”
Nature can be fooled at times
Unseasonably high temperatures of late are giving plenty of folk pause for thought – Craigie readers included.
Janette Anderson gets in touch from the Aberdeenshire village of Luthermuir – where brothers John and Harry Souttar, formerly of Dundee United, grew up – to flag up a curious state of meteorological affairs she says briefly existed in Angus in the mid1950s.
Without explicitly describing herself as
a global warming sceptic, Ms Anderson wishes to draw attention to a newspaper cutting in her possession which she believes originates from January 1956.
Under the heading ‘Spring defies the winter’, the short article reads: “Rhododendron bushes are budding at Stracathro Hospital, while wallflower is in full bloom. Lambing has begun in the Aberlemno district.”
Janette poses the question: “Was global warming on the go more than 60 years ago? This article was probably cut out from The Courier and I recognise the writing of the date, which is that of my late grandmother’s.”