Sir William Kerr Fraser GCB |
|
---|---|
Chancellor of the University of Glasgow |
|
In office 1996–2006 |
|
Preceded by | Sir Alexander Cairncross |
Succeeded by | Sir Kenneth Calman |
Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Glasgow |
|
In office 1988–1995 |
|
Preceded by | Sir Alwyn Williams |
Succeeded by | Sir Graeme Davies |
Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Office |
|
In office 1978–1988 |
|
Preceded by | Sir Nicholas Morrison |
Succeeded by | Sir Russell Hillhouse |
Personal details | |
Born |
Glasgow |
18 March 1929
Spouse(s) | Lady Marion Fraser |
Alma mater | University of Glasgow |
Profession | Civil servant |
Sir William Kerr Fraser GCB (born 18 May 1929) is a retired British civil servant, who served as Permanent Secretary at the Scottish Office, and as Principal and later Chancellor of the University of Glasgow.
William Kerr Fraser was educated at Eastwood High School in Glasgow. He studied at the University of Glasgow (M.A., LL.B.), where he was President of the Students' Representative Council from 1951-52.
He joined the Scottish Home Department, part of the Civil Service, in 1953, becoming Private Secretary to Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in 1959, and to the Secretary of State in 1966. In 1967, he became Assistant Secretary at the Regional Development Division, and in 1971 became Under-Secretary at the Scottish Home and Health Department. In 1975, he became Deputy Secretary, and in 1978 Permanent Secretary at the Scottish Office, serving until 1988. He was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in 1978, and created a Knight Commander of the order (KCB) in 1979 and a Knight Grand Cross of the order (GCB) in 1984.
Sir William became Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Glasgow in 1988 and served in these posts until 1995. In 1996, he was elected Chancellor of the University. He stood down from this role in 2006 and was succeeded by Professor Sir Kenneth Calman. The HUB Building at the University of Glasgow has recently been refurbished as a student services centre and is named the Fraser Building in his honour. He was awarded an honorary LL.D. by the University in 1982.