Sir Alexander Macgregor (1881-1965), Medical Officer of Health for Glasgow

Academic qualifications 1908-1909; Diaries 1911-1948; papers relating to military service, 1913-1919; publications 1906-1967; press cuttings 1926-1967; papers relating to honours received, 1919-1967.

Sir Alexander Macgregor was born in Arbroath in 1881, the son of a schoolmaster. He attended Hutcheson’s Grammar School, excelling in Classics. By 1908 he had achieved the qualifications MB Ch B and MD from the University of Glasgow. Following this, in 1909, he achieved a diploma in Public Health from Cambridge. In 1926 he was admitted a Fellow of the Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow. He held positions in infectious diseases at the Belvidere Fever Hospital, and as assistant to the Medical Officer of Health before he became the fourth Medical Officer of Health for Glasgow, in 1925. He retained this position until his retirement in 1946. After retirement Sir Alexander Macgregor became Chairman of the Western Regional Hospital Board and Chairman of the Scottish Chairmen, embracing a key role in the new NHS.

Sir Alexander Macgregor was the recipient of many honours beginning with the rare Military Order of the British Empire for his services in Gallipoli. He was awarded the LLD by the University of Glasgow in 1940 and in the following year received the award of Knight Commander of the British Empire, for his services to Glasgow. In 1955 he was awarded a knighthood for services to the Health Boards in the West of Scotland. He was not only recognised by royalty in his own country, being appointed Honorary Physician to His Majesty the King, he was also honoured by King Haakon of Norway. This award was a token of appreciation for his contribution to medical links between the two countries and particularly for making wards available during the Second World War.

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Descriptive list available at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons Glasgow

RCPSG 52 Dr Alexander Dale (1901-1964), Superintendent of Mearnskirk Hospital.

Medals in Museum Collection, 2003.66. RCPSG 1/12/8/36/1-10 Photographs of Medals