Alexander MacArthur was born in Tobermory on the Isle of Mull in 1918. Prior to attending university, Alexander was a student at Tobermory Higher Grade School and Oban High School. Alexander attended the University of Glasgow from 1938-1954 , taking classes from the faculties of arts, divinity, law and science. These included Celtic, History II and Political Economy in his first year; Political Economy, Moral Philosophy, History and Botany in his second; Natural Philosophy, Moral Philosophy and Psychology in his third; Moral Philosophy (Higher), Zoology and Natural Philosophy in his fourth year; Systematic Theology, New Testament Language and Literature and Old Testament Language and Literature in his fifth; Church History, New Testament Language and Literature, Old Testament Language and Literature, Zoology and Geology in his sixth; New Testament Language and Literature, Old Testament Language and Literature, Systematic Theology and Chemistry in his seventh; Practical Theology, Dogmatics, Jurisprudence, International Law and Public International Law in his eighth; Physiology in his ninth; Botany (Double) in his tenth; Botany (Double) in his twelfth; Public Administration I, Political Institutions and Social and Economic History in his fourteenth; Principles of Psychology, History and Theory of Education and Educational Methods in his fifteenth and Physiology and Hygiene in his sixteenth and final year. He graduated with an MA in June 1941 , a Diploma in Public Administration in June 1952 and a Diploma in Education in September 1954 . He subsequently became a minister in Glasgow until 1973, when he became a teacher in Renfrewshire. He returned part time to the University of Glasgow from 1974-1976 , taking classes in Principles of Adult Education in his first year and Psychology in his second and final year. He graduated with a BSc in November 1976 .
From the guide to the Papers of Alexander MacArthur, b1921, arts and science graduate, University of Glasgow, Scotland, 1938-1953, (Glasgow University Archive Services)
