Anderson, James Maitland, 1852-1927

Epithet: Librarian St Andrews University

James Maitland Anderson (1852-1927), Librarian of the University of St Andrews from 1881-1924 (and Keeper of Muniments until his death), became an eminent historian of the University and locality.

He was born in Rossie, Fife on 22 October 1852, eldest son of James Anderson, gardener to Captain James Maitland RN. He married Margaret Elizabeth Bain in 1880 and had two daughters. He was educated at the Free Church School, Giffordtown and the Parish School, Auchtermuchty and through private study. He began life as a cow-herd thereafter working in different businesses until he became a journalist, reporting for various newspapers and contributing to several minor periodicals in English and German. He edited the Phonographic Standard, 1872-74 and was appointed assistant librarian at the University of St Andrews in 1874.

He became University Librarian in 1881, also serving as Secretary of the University, 1878-1899, and as Quaestor, 1881-92, and Registrar and Secretary of the General Council, 1881-1899. He published widely on the history of the University and town, notably Historical Sketch of the University of St Andrews (1878), Heraldry of the University of St Andrews (1895), Register of Students at St Andrews, 1747-1897 (1905) and Matriculation and Graduation Rolls of St Andrews University, 1413-1579 (1926). He edited the University of St Andrews Calendar, 1882-1899 and the Library Bulletin, 1901-24. He was awarded an honorary LL.D by St Andrews in 1912. He died in August 1927.

Sources: Obituary in Alumnus Chronicle, 2 (Jan 1928), pp.11-12; Who was who, 1916-1928 (London, 1929).