J. D. Mackie
Encyclopedia
John Duncan Mackie CBE
MC
Hon. LLD (Glasgow) (1887–1978) was a distinguished Scottish historian who wrote a one-volume history of Scotland as well as several works on early modern Scotland
.
Born in Edinburgh
, Mackie was educated at Middlesbrough High School and Jesus College, Oxford
where he took a first-class degree in History and won the Lothian Essay Prize. He was appointed as a Lecturer in History at the University of St Andrews
in 1909, aged only twenty-two. While at St. Andrews he introduced the subject of Scottish history into the curriculum.
During the First World War, he served in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
and was awarded a Military Cross
. He was wounded in both the stomach and in the shoulder. In both cases he received innovative treatment. For the stomach wound (caused by a machine-gun) he was treated at a military hospital in Rouen
. Sterilised water was dripped right through his stomach and he recovered well. The shoulder wound was received in the last days of the war. He nearly had to have his arm amputated but he opted for a new treatment in which the nerve was knotted. However he never regained full use of his left hand and suffered considerable pain for the remainder of his life. He returned to St Andrews after the war, before being appointed Professor of Modern History at Bedford College, University of London, in 1926.
He was Professor of Scottish History and Literature
at the University of Glasgow
from 1930 to 1957. It was during these years that he wrote The Earlier Tudors 1485-1558 (Oxford University Press). An influential volume, The Earlier Tudors was a new analysis of Tudor administration - the business of government. In 1957 he retired, and was appointed Historiographer Royal
for Scotland.
Professor Mackie returned to the Glasgow University lecture hall in 1961 in the capacity of Emeritus Professor.
He died in Haslemere
in 1978 and was buried at Grayswood
church. His medals are in the regimental museum of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
at Stirling Castle
. The Letters Patent appointing him Historiographer Royal
were sent to the Hunterian Museum
at Glasgow University
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
MC
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
Hon. LLD (Glasgow) (1887–1978) was a distinguished Scottish historian who wrote a one-volume history of Scotland as well as several works on early modern Scotland
Scotland in the Early Modern Era
Scotland in the Early Modern Era refers, for the purposes of this article, to Scotland between the death of James IV in 1513 and the end of the Jacobite rebellions and beginnings of industrialisation, roughly corresponding to the early modern era in Europe....
.
Born in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, Mackie was educated at Middlesbrough High School and Jesus College, Oxford
Jesus College, Oxford
Jesus College is one of the colleges of the University of Oxford in England. It is in the centre of the city, on a site between Turl Street, Ship Street, Cornmarket Street and Market Street...
where he took a first-class degree in History and won the Lothian Essay Prize. He was appointed as a Lecturer in History at 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...
in 1909, aged only twenty-two. While at St. Andrews he introduced the subject of Scottish history into the curriculum.
During the First World War, he served in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland is an infantry battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland....
and was awarded a Military Cross
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
. He was wounded in both the stomach and in the shoulder. In both cases he received innovative treatment. For the stomach wound (caused by a machine-gun) he was treated at a military hospital in Rouen
Rouen
Rouen , in northern France on the River Seine, is the capital of the Haute-Normandie region and the historic capital city of Normandy. Once one of the largest and most prosperous cities of medieval Europe , it was the seat of the Exchequer of Normandy in the Middle Ages...
. Sterilised water was dripped right through his stomach and he recovered well. The shoulder wound was received in the last days of the war. He nearly had to have his arm amputated but he opted for a new treatment in which the nerve was knotted. However he never regained full use of his left hand and suffered considerable pain for the remainder of his life. He returned to St Andrews after the war, before being appointed Professor of Modern History at Bedford College, University of London, in 1926.
He was Professor of Scottish History and Literature
Professor of Scottish History and Literature, Glasgow
The Chair of Scottish History and Literature at the University of Glasgow was founded in 1913, endowed by a grant from the receipts of the 1911 Scottish Exhibition held in Glasgow's Kelvingrove Park, as well as donations from the Merchants House of Glasgow and other donors. The Chair has been held...
at the University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
from 1930 to 1957. It was during these years that he wrote The Earlier Tudors 1485-1558 (Oxford University Press). An influential volume, The Earlier Tudors was a new analysis of Tudor administration - the business of government. In 1957 he retired, and was appointed Historiographer Royal
Historiographer Royal
The Historiographer Royal is a member of the Royal household in Scotland. The office was created in 1681, and was in abeyance from 1709 until 1763 when it was revived for Principal William Robertson of Edinburgh University. The post, which now has no formal responsibilities or salary, is held by...
for Scotland.
Professor Mackie returned to the Glasgow University lecture hall in 1961 in the capacity of Emeritus Professor.
He died in Haslemere
Haslemere
Haslemere is a town in Surrey, England, close to the border with both Hampshire and West Sussex. The major road between London and Portsmouth, the A3, lies to the west, and a branch of the River Wey to the south. Haslemere is approximately south-west of Guildford.Haslemere is surrounded by hills,...
in 1978 and was buried at Grayswood
Grayswood
Grayswood is a small village to the North of Haslemere and to the west of Witley, Surrey.In 1894, Alfred Hugh Harman moved to Grayswood and in 1900 he offered to finance a church in Grayswood on land given by Lord Derby, on condition that a parish was created. The new parish of Grayswood was formed...
church. His medals are in the regimental museum of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland is an infantry battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland....
at Stirling Castle
Stirling Castle
Stirling Castle, located in Stirling, is one of the largest and most important castles, both historically and architecturally, in Scotland. The castle sits atop Castle Hill, an intrusive crag, which forms part of the Stirling Sill geological formation. It is surrounded on three sides by steep...
. The Letters Patent appointing him Historiographer Royal
Historiographer Royal
The Historiographer Royal is a member of the Royal household in Scotland. The office was created in 1681, and was in abeyance from 1709 until 1763 when it was revived for Principal William Robertson of Edinburgh University. The post, which now has no formal responsibilities or salary, is held by...
were sent to the Hunterian Museum
Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery
The University of Glasgow's Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery is the oldest public museum in Scotland. It is located in various buildings on the main campus of the University in the west end of Glasgow.-History:...
at Glasgow University