Ronald Gordon Cant MA, D.Litt, (1908-1999) historian and conservator, was born in Karachi, India, educated at Edinburgh Academy, the University of St Andrews (1924-28) and Oriel College, Oxford (B.A., 1932). After research in Edinburgh he was appointed first lecturer in Medieval History at the University of St Andrews in 1935, being promoted Reader in Scottish History in 1954. He retired in 1974 and died in St Andrews on 31 December 1999.
As a founder member of St Andrew Preservation Trust from 1937, he was appointed one of its honorary Vice-Presidents from 1974. He received an honorary degree from Glasgow University in 1977, and was the author of many publications. He helped found the Fife Folk Museum in Ceres and the Scottish Fisheries Museum in Anstruther. He served on the Boards of the National Library of Scotland and the National Museum of Antiquities of which he was a Trustee for many years. He was a member of the Scottish Country Life Museum Trust and the Historic Buildings Council for Scotland. He was a vice-president of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and a member of the Advistory Committee of the National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh.
From the guide to the Papers of Dr Ronald G Cant, 1925-1999, (University of St Andrews)
