History of the Principal's Office
The Principal and Vice-Chancellor is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the University of St Andrews. Since the mid 1800s it has been customary that one person holds both these titles, the post of Principal representing the executive function and the post of Vice-Chancellor the ceremonial function.
The Principal's Office of the University of St Andrews dates in effect from 1858. Until the mid 1700s the University comprised three colleges and the Provosts of St Salvator's College and Principals of St Leonard's and St Mary's Colleges were responsible for the oversight of their own institutions.
These three college heads were reduced in number to two after the creation of the United College of St Salvator and St Leonard in 1747. The Act of 1858, by introducing a division of functions between the University Court and the Senatus Academicus and by removing the Rector from the latter body, made it necessary to devise a new official to direct the academic business of the University.
This duty was assigned to the senior of the two college Principals. In 1889 it was decided that the Principal of the United College of St Salvator and St Leonard should also "possess the title and status and discharge the functions of Principal of the University".
This arrangement persisted until 1953 when the office of Principal of the University was established in its own right and assigned its patronage to the Crown.
In 1981 the Crown relinquished its power of appointing the Principal of St Andrews in favour of the University Court.
The Principal, by the Act of 1858, is the ordinary President of the Senatus Academicus. By the Act of 1889 the Principal presides over the University Court in the absence of the Rector and, by the Act of 1858, over the General Council in the absence of the Chancellor and the Rector.
Principals of the University
| 1859 |
Sir David Brewster, Principal of the United College (Senior Principal) [ref: ALB1-24] |
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| 1859-1886 |
The Revd John Tulloch, Principal of St Mary's College (Senior Principal) [ref: ALB8-53] |
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| 1886-1915 |
Sir James Donaldson, Principal of the United College (Senior Principal, 1886-1890, after which he was Principal of the University by virtue of his role as Principal of the United College) [ref: GPS-DonaldsonJ-16] |
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| 1915-1920 |
Sir John Herkless, Principal of the United College [ref: GPS-Herkless] |
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| 1921-1952 |
Sir James Colquhoun Irvine, Principal of the United College [ref: GPS-IrvineJ] |
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| 1953-1966 |
Sir T Malcolm Knox [ref: GPS-Knox] |
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| 1966-1986 |
J Steven Watson [ref: GAL-119] |
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| 1986-1999 |
Professor Struther Arnott [GPS-ArnottJ-3] |
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| 2001-2008 |
Dr Brian Lang |
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| 2009- |
Dr Louise Richardson |
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Images courtesy of University of St Andrews Library,
Office of the Vice-Chancellor
The Universities (Scotland) Act of 1858 explicitly empowers the University Chancellor to appoint a Vice-Chancellor to discharge his office in his absence. By a convention uniformly observed since 1859 the Principal of the University is also appointed Vice-Chancellor.