Anderson, Thomas Alexander Harvie (arts and law graduate : 1872-1953 : Glasgow, Scotland)

Thomas Alexander Harvie Anderson was born in Hillhead, Glasgow on 17 April 1872. His father Harvie was a merchant. He was educated at Glasgow Academy , Glasgow, Scotland, and began studying at the University of Glasgow in 1888. In his first two years he studied Greek, Latin and Mathematics, followed in his third year by Logic, English Literature and Natural and Moral Philosophy in his fourth year. After receiving his MA in 1893 he returned to the University of Glasgow this time as a student in the Law Faculty, studying Scots Law. He went on to study Conveyancing and Public Law, Civil Law and Mercantile Law graduating BL in 1896. While studying, he enlisted in the Glasgow Highlanders Volunteers and was promoted to captain in 1902. When the volunteers were reorganised by Lord Haldane into the Territorial Army in 1908 he was appointed secretary to the Glasgow Territorial Force Association and shared the credit for the high efficiency of the Glasgow battalions in 1914. In 1917 he was awarded the TD and CB, and in 1937 he retired from the secretaryship of the Glasgow Territorial Army and Air Force Association.

In 1939-1940 he was a member of the University Reception Unit for the placing of officers for the Second World War. After the First World War Colonel Harvie Anderson was closely associated with the Erskine Hospital for disabled sailors and soldiers, and he was secretary and treasurer of the hospital until his death. In 1932 he was appointed a deputy lieutenant for the County of the City of Glasgow, and from 1940 to 1943 he was a member of Stirling County Council. For many years he was session clerk of Hillhead Parish Church, Glasgow. he became a senior partner in Anderson, Fyfe, Littlejohn & Co , solicitors, Glasgow, and, at the time of his death, he was the oldest practising member of the Royal Faculty of Procurators in Glasgow. He died on 1 May 1953.

Source: Scottish Biographies 1938 (Thurston & Jackson) and The College Courant , Martinmas 1953.

From the guide to the Papers of Thomas Alexander Harvie Anderson, 1872-1953, arts and law graduate, University of Glasgow, Scotland, 1888-1892, (Glasgow University Archive Services)