The office of Principal of the University, although only created as such in 1953, dates in effect from 1858. The Provosts of St Salvator's College and Principals of St Leonard's and St Mary's Colleges were originally responsible for the oversight of their own institutions. The three college heads were reduced in number to two Principals after the creation of the United College of St Salvator and St Leonard in 1747.
The Universities (Scotland) 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 the Act assigned to the senior of the two college Principals. The Universities (Scotland) Act of 1889 amended this provision by declaring 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 the Act of 1953 which instituted the office of Principal of the University in its own right and assigned its patronage to the Crown. By the Education (Scotland) Act of 1981 the Crown relinquished its power of appointing the Principal 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 he 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. By University Court Resolution 1968 no. 2, the appointment of a Principal terminates not later than the end of the academic year in which he attains the age of 70 years.
Principals of the University:
- Sir David Brewster, Principal of the United College (Senior Principal), 1859
- Rev. John Tulloch, Principal of St Mary's College (Senior Principal), 1859-1886
- Sir James Donaldson, Principal of the United College (Senior Principal, 1886-1890), 1886-1915
- Sir John Herkless, Principal of the United College, 1915-1920
- Sir James Colquhoun Irvine, Principal of the United College, 1921-1952
- Sir Thomas Malcolm Knox, 1953-1966
- Professor John Steven Watson, 1966-1986
- Professor Struther Arnott, 1986-1999
- Dr Brian Lang, 2001-[ongoing]
From the guide to the Papers of the Principals of the University of St Andrews., 1859-[ongoing], (University of St Andrews)
