Anthony Ross (rector)

Fr Ian Anthony Ross OP STL FSA (Scot) (14 June 1917 - 24 May 1993) was a Scottish Dominican educator and antiquarian, who served as Rector of the University of Edinburgh (1979–1982).

Early life

Born near Beauly, Inverness-shire, Scotland, Anthony Ross was brought up Free Presbyterian, attending school in Beauly and then Inverness Royal Academy. He won an award to Edinburgh University, where he edited his first book at the age of twenty-two. Entering the Catholic Church, he was cut off financially by his family. He entered the Dominican Order at Woodchester in 1939, made his profession on 19 October 1940, and was ordained priest on 29 September 1945.

Career

After obtaining his lectorate he returned to Edinburgh in 1947 to begin postgraduate studies on the Order in Scotland after the Reformation. However in 1950 he was assigned to teach at Hawkesyard. He was elected Prior of Woodchester a year later and then in 1954 went to Laxton Hall where he was a popular teacher. Returning to Edinburgh in 1959, he exerted wide influence throughout Scotland. He was the founder of The Innes Review and of the Scottish Catholic Historical Association and vice-chairman of the Parole Board for Scotland. In 1979 he was elected Rector of the University of Edinburgh.

Later life

In 1982 he was elected Provincial but six months later suffered a stroke. He bore the limitations on his activities with patience, re-learning to speak and to write. In 1988 he published an autobiography. He died peacefully at Blairgowrie, near Perth, aged 78 with 52 years of profession and 47 years of priesthood.

Academic offices
Preceded by Magnus Magnusson	Rector of the University of Edinburgh 1979–1982	Succeeded by David Steel