Sir James Donaldson (1831-1915) was Principal of the United College of St Andrews University from 1886 until 1915 and was an eminent scholar in biblical, theological and classical subjects, as well as being a respected educationalist. He served as Senior Principal of the University until 1890, thus being, in effect, Principal of the whole University. His position was endorsed through the terms of the Universities (Scotland) Act of 1889. He then served as Principal of the University from 1890 to 1915.
He was born in Aberdeenshire and studied at Aberdeen Grammar School and Marischal College, Aberdeen, then New College, London and the University of Berlin. He returned from Germany in 1852 and was appointed assistant to the professor of Greek in the University of Edinburgh. In 1854 he became Rector of Stirling High School. In 1856 he was appointed Classical Master at the Royal High School in Edinburgh and its Rector in 1866. He was made LL.D. by Aberdeen in 1865 and became Professor of Humanity there in 1882, moving to St Andrews in 1886.
He wrote widely on Greek, Classical and Theological subjects, publishing a Modern Greek Grammar as early as 1853. He is well known for his Critical History of Christian Literature and Doctrine from the death of the Apostles to the Nicene Councils (1864-66). He was joint editor of the Ante-Nicene Christian Library in 24 volumes (1867-72). He was active in University reform. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and was knighted in 1907. He was awarded an LL.D by Glasgow and an honorary D.D. by Aberdeen in recognition of his work in Church History.
From the guide to the Papers of Sir James Donaldson, 1845-1920, (University of St Andrews)
