Aberdeen University Students, 1860-1920

<P>Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.</P><br>The purpose of this study was the construction and analysis of a database of the records relating to students who attended the University of Aberdeen from 1860 to 1920, in order to create a comprehensive textual dossier of information about individual students which could be accessed easily by the University Archivist in answering frequent enquiries about past students; to facilitate the researches of scholars preparing publications on different aspects of University life for the institution's quincentenary in 1995; to demonstrate trends in the geographical and social mobility of the student population, as well as the impact on academic life of major changes in the curriculum.<br><B>Main Topics</B>:<BR><br>Three broad categories of data have been sought in constructing a database of students at the University of Aberdeen from 1860-1920. Out of a possible total of 52 fields, approximately 16 are devoted to biographical and background information, including dates of birth and death, place of origin, schools attended and father's occupation. A further 21 fields are concerned with the student's university education and experiences, including actual and total periods of study, classes attended, examinations passed (where applicable), degree(s) obtained, both at Aberdeen and at other universities, bursaries, prizes and medals awarded, the location of lodgings (where applicable), and membership of university societies. The third major area of investigation was the student's post-university life, incorporating information on locations, careers, and civil, military and academic honours and awards. Several further fields have been allocated to identifying sources of information. The database has been designed to allow not only minute documentation of the backgrounds and careers of individual students, but also global analysis of changing patterns of geographical and social mobility among the student population as a whole.<br>
Data on students' (and parents') occupations have been classified in conformity with the Registrar General's classification.