Alistair Moffat
Encyclopedia
Alistair Moffat is an award winning writer and journalist, former director of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and Rector of the University of St Andrews
.
, graduating in 1972 with a degree in Medieval History . While at St Andrews Moffat earned first team caps in both rugby and cricket, also playing basketball and athletics.
Moffat was also active in student politics throughout his time at St Andrews, playing a leading role in the rectorial campaign
of John Cleese
, who went on to become one of St Andrews' best loved rectors.
After graduating from St Andrews in 1972, Moffat went on to earn degrees from the University of Edinburgh
and the (then) University of London. While at Edinburgh Moffat continued his involvement in student politics, campaigning with Gordon Brown
, one of the first students in history to be made rector of the University of Edinburgh. Moffat and Brown went on to campaign on a number of social and political issues including gay rights and the 1979 Edinburgh South by-election.
awards and a BAFTA for his documentary on the Lockerbie
Bombings . In 1989 he was appointed to the NSG, the group that controls UK wide scheduling for ITV, commanding a budget of £750 million. He left STV in 1999 to focus on writing.
Moffat's writing since 1999 has been focused mainly in the field of social history. Beginning with "The Edinburgh Fringe" (1978), he has written over twenty books including the bestselling "Tyneside, "The Reivers" and "The Wall", all of which have since been remade as television series.
and Margaret Drabble to improve literacy in Scotland.
On 28 October 2011, Moffat was elected Rector of the University of St Andrews
. He is appointed for a three-year term and takes up post immediately. His period of office will span the University’s 600th Anniversary celebrations from which run from 2011 to 2013.
From 2009 - 2011 he served at the invitation of James Naughtie
, the Chancellor of the University of Stirling
, as Chancellor's Assessor on Stirling's University Court. He resigned the position in October 2011 on being invited to run for Rector of the University of St Andrews
, an election which he won on 28 Oct 2011.
He remains a passionate rugby supporter and regular attendee of his national team's games. On one occasion, he refused to buy Tony Blair
tickets for the Calcutta Cup
(which he was attending with Gordon Brown) because Blair suggested he would support England rather than his native Scotland .
Rector of the University of St Andrews
The Lord Rector of the University of St Andrews is a university official chosen every three years by the students of the University of St Andrews...
.
Education
Moffat was educated at the University of St AndrewsUniversity of St Andrews
The University of St Andrews, informally referred to as "St Andrews", is the oldest university in Scotland and the third oldest in the English-speaking world after Oxford and Cambridge. The university is situated in the town of St Andrews, Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. It was founded between...
, graduating in 1972 with a degree in Medieval History . While at St Andrews Moffat earned first team caps in both rugby and cricket, also playing basketball and athletics.
Moffat was also active in student politics throughout his time at St Andrews, playing a leading role in the rectorial campaign
Rector of the University of St Andrews
The Lord Rector of the University of St Andrews is a university official chosen every three years by the students of the University of St Andrews...
of John Cleese
John Cleese
John Marwood Cleese is an English actor, comedian, writer, and film producer. He achieved success at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and as a scriptwriter and performer on The Frost Report...
, who went on to become one of St Andrews' best loved rectors.
After graduating from St Andrews in 1972, Moffat went on to earn degrees from the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
and the (then) University of London. While at Edinburgh Moffat continued his involvement in student politics, campaigning with Gordon Brown
Gordon Brown
James Gordon Brown is a British Labour Party politician who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Labour Party from 2007 until 2010. He previously served as Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Labour Government from 1997 to 2007...
, one of the first students in history to be made rector of the University of Edinburgh. Moffat and Brown went on to campaign on a number of social and political issues including gay rights and the 1979 Edinburgh South by-election.
Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Moffat found early success after university, becoming Director of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1976. Moffat's five year tenure saw the festival grow into the largest arts festival on the world.STV
Moffat left the Fringe in 1981 and joined STV, where he rose to become programme director, Chief Executive of Network Production and finally Chairman of STV. While at STV Moffat won a number of awards for his work, notably several Royal Television SocietyRoyal Television Society
The Royal Television Society is a British-based educational charity for the discussion, and analysis of television in all its forms, past, present and future. It is the oldest television society in the world...
awards and a BAFTA for his documentary on the Lockerbie
Lockerbie
Lockerbie is a town in the Dumfries and Galloway region of south-western Scotland. It lies approximately from Glasgow, and from the English border. It had a population of 4,009 at the 2001 census...
Bombings . In 1989 he was appointed to the NSG, the group that controls UK wide scheduling for ITV, commanding a budget of £750 million. He left STV in 1999 to focus on writing.
Writing
During the 1970s and early 1980s Moffat wrote a number of papers focusing on education policy. His approach, recommending a renewed focus on primary education as the key to widening participation at secondary and higher levels, has since formed parts of the education manifestos of all three major parties in Britain .Moffat's writing since 1999 has been focused mainly in the field of social history. Beginning with "The Edinburgh Fringe" (1978), he has written over twenty books including the bestselling "Tyneside, "The Reivers" and "The Wall", all of which have since been remade as television series.
Career since
Since leaving STV in 1999, Moffat has served as Director of the Borders Book Festival and Lennoxlove Book Festival, both of which he also founded. He has also maintained his interest in education, serving as Director of "Book Nation", a Scottish national literacy initiative, working alongside Sir Robert WinstonRobert Winston
Robert Maurice Lipson Winston, Baron Winston is a British professor, medical doctor, scientist, television presenter and politician.-Early life and education :...
and Margaret Drabble to improve literacy in Scotland.
On 28 October 2011, Moffat was elected Rector of the University of St Andrews
University of St Andrews
The University of St Andrews, informally referred to as "St Andrews", is the oldest university in Scotland and the third oldest in the English-speaking world after Oxford and Cambridge. The university is situated in the town of St Andrews, Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. It was founded between...
. He is appointed for a three-year term and takes up post immediately. His period of office will span the University’s 600th Anniversary celebrations from which run from 2011 to 2013.
Personal life
Moffat met his wife Lindsay while both were students at the University of St Andrews, they were married in 1976 in the university's ancient St Salvators Chapel, a privilege and tradition commonly reserved only for alumni, staff or their offspring. The couple have three children, two of whom also attended St Andrews.From 2009 - 2011 he served at the invitation of James Naughtie
James Naughtie
James Naughtie is a British radio presenter and radio news presenter for the BBC. Since 1994 he has been one of the main presenters of Radio 4's Today programme.- Biography :...
, the Chancellor of the University of Stirling
University of Stirling
The University of Stirling is a campus university founded by Royal charter in 1967, on the Airthrey Estate in Stirling, Scotland.-History and campus development:...
, as Chancellor's Assessor on Stirling's University Court. He resigned the position in October 2011 on being invited to run for Rector of the University of St Andrews
Rector of the University of St Andrews
The Lord Rector of the University of St Andrews is a university official chosen every three years by the students of the University of St Andrews...
, an election which he won on 28 Oct 2011.
He remains a passionate rugby supporter and regular attendee of his national team's games. On one occasion, he refused to buy Tony Blair
Tony Blair
Anthony Charles Lynton Blair is a former British Labour Party politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to 27 June 2007. He was the Member of Parliament for Sedgefield from 1983 to 2007 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007...
tickets for the Calcutta Cup
Calcutta Cup
The Calcutta Cup is a rugby union trophy awarded to the winner of the annual Six Nations Championship match between England and Scotland. It is currently England's since the 2009 Six Nations Championship....
(which he was attending with Gordon Brown) because Blair suggested he would support England rather than his native Scotland .