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Campbell, Donald, 1857-1937 (headmaster, father of Archibald Hunter Campbell)

 Person

Staff Only

Dates

  • Existence: 1857 - 1937

Biography

Donald Campbell was born in 1857 in the Parish of Oa (Islay, Scotland). He is the grandson of Donald Mathieson (born on the island of Islay in 1806 and died in 1841) and Mary McLachlan, the son of Euphemia ‘Effie’ Mathieson ([1839]-1924) and Archibald Campbell (1833-1915). He is the eldest child of 6 siblings: Betsy, Ann, Effie, James, and Archibald.

Donald Campbell received his early education in Islay; then served as a pupil teacher in Port Ellen. He graduated in Arts from Glasgow University. He served his lifetime under the Old Edinburgh School Board (that later became the Education Authority) until he was appointed headmaster of Leith Walk School on 21 February 1903. For a very short period, he was in a scholastic capacity. He was a prominent member of the Educational Institute of Scotland and served for a time as President of the Edinburgh Branch. He was a proficient Gaelic scholar. He married Mary Hunter (1864-1954) at St Cuthbert’s Parish Church, Edinburgh, in July 1895 and had a son, Archibald Hunter Campbell, born on 21 May 1902. During the Great War, Donald Campbell volunteered in the 2nd N Bat R Scots. He enrolled on 7 March 1917 and was discharged on 8 October 1919. Donald Campbell died on 31 May 1937 and is buried at Morningside Cemetery.