James Drever

James Drever (1910–1991) was a Scottish academic, born in Edinburgh to Orcadian parents. He was educated at the Royal High School of Edinburgh, the University of Edinburgh, and St John's College, Cambridge. Drever's father was also an academic in psychology. After serving in the Royal Navy during World War II, Drever succeeded his father as Professor of Psychology at the University of Edinburgh in 1944. He was a visiting professor at Princeton University from 1954 to 1955. Drever was involved in organizing the 12th International Congress of Psychology in 1948. His leadership in the Psychology Department at Edinburgh led to its expansion and the establishment of an Honours School. Drever also served as president of the British Psychological Society. He was appointed to the Committee on Higher Education, which recommended the expansion of university education in the UK. This led to Queen's College, Dundee, becoming the University of Dundee. Drever was appointed Master of Queen's College in 1966 to oversee its transition and became its first Principal and Vice-Chancellor in 1967, a post he held until 1978. His tenure was marked by navigating financial uncertainties and student discontent, though he was known for his support of students' protests at times. He was instrumental in establishing the University of Dundee Botanic Garden and fostering links with Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art. Drever's papers are held by the University of Dundee's Archive Services, and the university holds an occasional Drever Lecture in Psychology in his commemoration.