Alexander Morrison (headmaster)

For other people with the same name, see Alexander Morrison (disambiguation).

Alexander Morrison (3 February 1829 – 31 May 1903) was a Scottish-born educator who was the headmaster of the Scotch College (Melbourne) for 47 years.^[1][2]

Alexander Morrison
Born	(1829-02-03)3 February 1829 Moray, Scotland
Died	31 May 1903(1903-05-31) (aged 74) Melbourne, Australia
Occupation(s)	Educator, headmaster
Spouse	Christina Morrison née Fraser (m. 1855)
Children	7 (4 sons, 3 daughters)

Early life and education

Morrison first taught in Scottish institutions in Moray, Scotland, and later at the Elgin Academy, King's College, and the University of Aberdeen.^{[2] [3]} He began teaching at Elgin Academy three years after graduating,^[3] later becoming rector of St John's Grammar School, Hamilton for three years.^[3] During this period, enrolment at the school doubled from 194 to 397.^[3]

In 1855, Morrison married Christina Fraser.^[3] The following year, after the resignation of the inaugural headmaster, Robert Lawson, Morrison accepted the position of headmaster at Scotch College.^[3] He emigrated aboard the Essex with his wife, son, and younger brother Robert (who later became vice-principal at Scotch College from 1869 to 1904).^[3] They arrived in Melbourne on 25 July 1857,^[3] and Morrison began his duties the following month.^[1]

Career in Australia

When Morrison arrived in Melbourne, there were 56 pupils (50 day boys and six boarders) at Scotch College.^[1] By 1870, enrolment had passed 300.^[1] Following a severe illness in 1874,^[1] Morrison was granted a year's leave of absence and left to visit Europe.^[1] He was appointed to the council of the University of Melbourne in 1878,^[1] and attended meetings regularly.^[1]

In November 1876, Morrison moved the motion at the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria that led to the founding of Ormond College at the University of Melbourne, and he heavily influenced Francis Ormond in his endowment of the college.^[1] He worked to obtain subscriptions when the college was instituted, was elected chairman of the trustees, and presided at the opening ceremony on 18 March 1881.^[1] In his earlier years at Scotch College, Morrison taught classes in several subjects, but as the school grew, his work became largely focused on administration.^[4]

The University of Aberdeen conferred on Morrison the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws in 1876.^[5] He was the author of A First Latin Course.^[1]

Legacy

Morrison had a 47-year tenure at Scotch College (from 1857 until his death in 1903).^[1][2] In this period, the number of enrolled students grew significantly,^[2] and in 1870, a larger proportion passed university examinations than at any previous point in the college's history.^[6] He trained and encouraged Frank Shew (1851–1934), who joined the staff in 1870 and taught for 53 years.^[7] Other masters included Weigall,^[4] Alexander Sutherland,^[4] and W. F. Ingram.^[4]

Morrison died from heart failure on 31 May 1903 in Melbourne.^[1] He was survived by four sons and three daughters.^[1]