Material around the Edinburgh University student history of Alan Owen MA., Dip.Ed., B.Ed

The collection of material relating to life at University for Alan Owen and Anne Hyslop Gemmell is composed of:

• Cowan House, Hall of Residence for Men - Owen admitted 1939 - documents relating to Cowan House residency
• Inclusive Fee Regulation cards, General Council registration, and class cards for varied subjects between 1939-1948 - documents relating to both Owen and Anne Hyslop Gemmell
• Faculty of Arts Class Certificates - British History (Ordinary), 1939-40; Rhetoric and English Literature (Ordinary), 1939-40; Philosophy (Logic and Metaphysics), 1940-41; English II, 1940-41; Latin (First Ordinary), 1941-42; and, Advanced Theory and History of Education, 1947-48 - Alan Owen
• Edinburgh University Air Squadron - Certificate of Proficiency, prior to call-up - 1942 - Alan Owen
• Edinburgh University Student's Handbook - 1941-1942
• Note from Godfrey H. Thomson to Owen, thanking him for his 'kind congratulations' - Note from Eggeling to Miss Gemmell, 1943
• Items of ephemera, being: a card showing 'Students' Ward' visiting hours (Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh); a visitors voucher, Edinburgh University Union; notice for all members of staff to switch off taps and switches; and, Christmas card to Owen from the Secretary, EUTC
• Graduation ceremonial, Saturday 20 January 1945 - Upper Library - Anne Hyslop Gemmell - MA (Ordinary)
• Graduation ceremonial, Friday 28 June 1946, McEwan Hall - Alan Owen - MA (Ordinary)
• Graduation ceremonial, Friday 4 July 1947, McEwan Hall - Alan Owen MA - Diploma in Education
• Graduation ceremonial, Friday 2 July 1948, McEwan Hall - Alan Owen MA - Degree of Bachelor of Education (with Distinction in Psychology)
• Notices to graduands on dress for graduation ceremonial, and seat tickets
• Tickets and programmes for: Installation of the Chancellor (The Marquess of Linlithgow), 1946; and, Rectorial Address (Viscount Cunningham of Hyndhope), 1946
• Items of ephemera, being: invitation to tea in Moray House Training College; record of teacher training in Craiglockhart, Portobello, Bruntsfield, and Lochend Road schools, and items of College cricket ephemera
• Letter Miss Nora Milnes (Dept. of Social Study and Training, University of Edinburgh) - 18 June 1947 - to 'Dear Miss Gemmell' indicating that she is 'very glad to be able to tell you that your thesis has been accepted'.... though, she 'would like to see you if possible for a few minutes to discuss one or two points'
• Dinner menu - Royal British Hotel, Edinburgh - Friday 1 August 1947 - noted with name 'Anne' [Hyslop Gemmell], and many signatures and greetings
• Teacher's Probation Certificates - Alan Owen
• Papers from Edinburgh Provincial Committee for the Training of Teachers with respect to Owen's training
• Examination Papers - Edinburgh University and Moray House
• 12th International Congress of Psychology, 1948

Alan Owen was born in Inverness on 2 September 1922. He was educated at Inverness Royal Academy. At the time of starting studies at Edinburgh University in 1939, his family still lived in Inverness. At University he followed classes in English and British History between 1939 and 1940, English and Philosophy from 1940 to 1941, then Latin, Psychology and Geography from 1941 to 1942. War service presumably followed because he did not graduate with the degree of MA until June 1946. Thereafter he was awarded the diploma and degree of Dip.Ed. (1947) and B.Ed. (1948).

Anne Hyslop Gemmell was born in Coalburn, Lanarkshire, on 16 June 1923. She was educated at Ormiston Public School and at schools in Wishaw and Cumnock. At the time of her starting studies at Edinburgh University in 1941, her family still lived in Ormiston. At University she followed classes in French, German and Political Economy between 1941 and 1942, French and German during 1942 and 1943, then Psychology, Moral Philosophy and Economic History between 1945 and 1946. She graduated in January 1945, and was awarded a Diploma in Social Study in 1947.

Both Alan Owen and Anne Hyslop Gemmell were members and associates of the XIIth International Congress of Pyschology held in Edinburgh at the University of Edinburgh between 23 July and 29 July 1948.

Open to bona fide researchers, but please contact repository for details in advance.

Acquired February 2013. Accession no: E2013.09

Within Edinburgh University Library, Special Collections, there are other colelctions or items relating to Sir Godfrey Thomson and the training of teachers, and of course testing.

Catalogued by Graeme D. Eddie 25 March 2014