Papers of Alexander Neil, teacher and political activist, 1904-1998
- Reference:GB 248 UGC 048
- Dates of Creation:1986
- Name of Creator:
- Physical Description:0.1 metres, 295ppThere are no physical characteristics that affect the use of this material
Scope and Content
The autobiography begins with a description of Alex Neil's childhood in Dennistoun, Glasgow, Scotland. He describes games and songs that were popular among children at the time. The chapters on Neil's school days mainly consist of descriptions of the pupils and teachers he met including John Rankin, a teacher who was arrested as a conscientious objector and later became a Labour MP. The chapters dealing with his time at the University of Glasgow and Jordanhill College are similar, describing lectures and fellow students. He also touches on the financial difficulties that he faced during his time at the University.
As well as descriptions of teachers and pupils, the chapters that deal with Alex Neil's teaching career also detail his successful efforts to start and maintain school libraries.
Throughout the autobiography Alex Neil also describes his involvement with Labour Party politics and those of his wife, Lysbeth, who was elected as a Labour councillor. Alex Neil also describes the difficulties he faced during his teaching career due to being both a Labour Party member and an atheist.
Administrative / Biographical History
Alexander Neil , known as Alex, was born on 13 February 1904 in Dunchalten Street, Dennistoun, Glasgow, Scotland. He gained his MA in History from the University of Glasgow in 1925 before attending Jordanhill College , Glasgow, where he received his teaching qualification in 1926. He taught at, and was rector of, various schools in Lanarkshire. He was awarded the OBE in 1958 and died in 1998.
Arrangement
The archive is arranged in the order in which it was deposited
Access Information
Open
Acquisition Information
Gift from the family of Alex Neil : November 2000
Other Finding Aids
Digital file level list available in searchroom.
Alternative Form Available
The family of Alex Neil have an additional copy of the autobiography
Conditions Governing Use
Applications for permission to quote should be sent to the University Archivist
Reproduction subject to usual conditions: educational use & condition of documents
Appraisal Information
The accession only consists of one item
Custodial History
Held by the family of Alex Neil
Accruals
None expected
Related Material
No related material
Bibliography
No known publications using this material
Additional Information
This material is original
The fonds level of description was compiled by Neil Hargreaves, Archives Assistant, 08 January 2001
Amended by Kirsty Menzies, Data Assistant, 06 April 2017.
Subjects
Personal Names
Geographical Names