Person: Buchan, Alexander Fairley

Alexander Buchan was a Scottish mathematician who went on to become a lecturer at Moray House College of Education.

Alexander attended Sciennes School, Edinburgh, in 1916, then George Heriot's School, Edinburgh, from 1916-1922.
After completing his studies at George Heriot's, Buchan entered the University of Edinburgh, matriculating in October 1922 when he entered the Faculty of Pure Science.
After working between 1930 to 1935 as a teacher at the Royal High School, Edinburgh, Buchan then became Principal Teacher of Mathematics at James Gillespie's High School for Girls, Edinburgh.
His thesis advisor at Edinburgh was Alexander Aitken.
He was elected to the Royal Society of Edinburgh on 4 March 1940, his proposers being Sir Edmund T Whittaker, Alexander Craig Aitken, David Gibb, Robert Schlapp.
Finally we note Buchan's association with Scottish Freemasonry.
Dr Buchan, who is 42 years of age, was formerly principal master of mathematics in James Gillespie's High School, and since then principal lecturer in mathematics and Master of Method in Moray House Training College, Edinburgh.
The Grand Secretaryship to which Dr Buchan has been elected is a full-time salaried appointment.
At the present time Dr Buchan is Master of one of the oldest Lodges in existence, Canongate Kilwinning No. 2, Edinburgh.
Dr Buchan was installed in office by the Grand Master Mason.

Born 6 July 1904, Edinburgh, Scotland. Died 10 January 1976, Edinburgh, Scotland.

View full biography at MacTutor

Origin Scotland

Thank you to the contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0!

O’Connor, John J; Robertson, Edmund F: MacTutor History of Mathematics Archive