Papers of Sir Hector James Wright Hetherington, 1888-1965; Knight, University Vice-Chancellor, Principal 1936-1961, Professor of Moral Philosophy 1924-1927, University of Glasgow, Scotland

Scope and Content

  • Speeches, broadcasts, articles and addresses and related papers, 1919-1964;
  • Industrial disputes papers, 1940-1960;
  • University of Glasgow Principal's files, 1936-1961.

Administrative / Biographical History

Hector James Wright Hetherington was born on 21 July 1888 in Cowdenbeath, Fife, Scotland. He was educated at Dollar Academy and the University of Glasgow, Scotland, where he received an MA in 1909, winning both the Gartmore Gold and University Silver medals for essays written that year. He lectured in Moral Philosophy at Glasgow University under Professor Sir Henry Jones from 1910-1914 and was warden of Glasgow University Settlement. He was appointed Professor of Logic & Philosophy at University College, Cardiff, Wales in 1915 where he stayed until his appointment as Principal and Professor of Philosophy at University College, Exeter, England in 1920. He moved back to Glasgow in 1924 to take up the chair in Moral Philosophy until 1927. From 1927-1936 he was vice-chancellor at the University of Liverpool, England. The University of Glasgow appointed him Principal in 1936 where he stayed until his retirement in 1961. He was widely acclaimed as a University administrator. He was awarded many honorary degrees including LLD (Glasgow) 1927 and honoured by many professional bodies such as the Royal Institute of British Architects. He was Chairman of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors & Principals from 1943-1947 and again from 1949-1952. He chaired a number of other committees including the Colonial Universities Grants Committee from 1942-1948. He was associated with many chaitable trusts including the Clyde Navigation Trust, the Women's Friendly Society of Scotland, the Carnegie Trust and the Stevenson Citizenship Trust. He was knighted in 1936, KBE in 1948 and GBE in 1962. He died in London on 15 January 1965.

Source: University of Glasgow records and Dictionary of National Biography.

Arrangement

They collection is survey listed at file level

Access Information

Access to records within this collection is open, however an appointment may be required. Please email Archives and Special Collections for advice: library-asc@glasgow.ac.uk

Acquisition Information

Received prior to the introduction of formal accessioning procedures

Other Finding Aids

See also University of Glasgow Collections

Digital file level list available in searchroom

Manual file level list available at the National Register of Archives in Edinburgh (NRA(S) 1022) and London (NRA 18902)

Alternative Form Available

No known copies

Conditions Governing Use

Reproduction subject to usual conditions: educational use and condition of documents. Applications for permission to quote should be sent to Archives and Special Collections, please email: library-asc@glasgow.ac.uk

Appraisal Information

This material has been appraised in line with standard GB 248 procedures

Custodial History

The papers were owned by Sir Hector Hetherington and his family before being deposited at Glasgow University Archives. The materials listed under the heading Principal's files came from Sir Hector's office on retirement and the remaining papers were deposited by the family after his death

Accruals

None expected

Related Material

GB 248 DC 199/362-363 The Morality of States & Individuals, Gartmore Gold Medal winning essay 1909 by Hector Hetherington and The subjective and objective tendencies in recent philosophy, University Silver Medal winning essay 1909.

GB 141 DC 205, D683 Correspondence and papers 1927-1936 (Liverpool University Special Collections and Archives)

GB 098 NRA 18379 1950-1953 Correspondence with Lord Jackson 1950-1953 (Imperial College London Archives)

GB 210 NRA 30994 Letters to Thomas Jones 1917-1933 (National Library of Wales)

GB 134 NRA 18162 Letters to Manchester Guardian 1950-1954 (John Rylands Library, Manchester University)

Location of Originals

This material is original

Corporate Names

Geographical Names