Alexander Keith, 1895-1973

Alexander Keith graduated from the University of Aberdeen, MA 1916, and worked as a journalist and assistant editor with Aberdeen Journals Ltd. from 1917 - 1944. In 1943 he purchased a farm at Eigie, Balmeddie, Aberdeenshire, and became Secretary to the Aberdeen Angus Cattle Society, a post which he held until 1955.

His publishing career began in the early 1920s, with titles relating to the lives and works of notable Aberdeenshire ballad collectors, Gavin Greig, Bruce Duncan and their associates: Mine Honourable Friends: Essays and Odd Papers (Aberdeen: Wyllie, 1922); Gavin Greig and his Work (Aberdeen: Wyllie, 1924); Gavin Greig, Last Leaves of Traditional Ballads and Ballad Airs collected in Aberdeenshire, ed. by Alexander Keith, Aberdeen University Studies, 100 (Aberdeen: Aberdeen University, 1925); William Walker, Book-lover, The Aberdeen Book-lover, 7 (1932), 29-34); Songs of the Northeast: a Pocket-book of Memories (Aberdeen: Aberdeen Journals for the Sit Siccar Club, 1940). Subsequent works on the history of local businesses, individuals and agriculture, contributed to his growing reputation as a prominent local historian and author, and in 1967 his contribution to the literature of the North-east was formally marked by the award of LL D from the University of Aberdeen. He is perhaps best known for A Thousand Years of Aberdeen (Aberdeen: Aberdeen University Press, 1972); and Eminent Aberdonians, (Aberdeen: Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce, 1984), which was published posthumously from articles originally appearing in Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce: Journal.

For details of his life and works see Aberdeen University Review, 48 (1979), 103; Harold Watt, Alexander Keith: a Bibliography, Aberdeen University Review, 48 (1979), 61-67; I.B.D. Bryce and C. Graham, Alexander Keith: a Valediction, The Leopard, 44 (1978), 23-25; Dorothy B. Johnston, The Letters and Papers of Dr. Alexander J. Keith, AUL MS 3017, Northern Scotland, 4 (1981), 127;. D.G. Gordon, Alexander Keith, M.A., LL.D. in Bennachie Again, ed. by Archie W. M. Whitely (n.p: Bailies of Bennachie, 1983), pp. 182-86.

From the guide to the Papers of Alexander Keith, 16th century - 20th century, (University of Aberdeen)