MACGREGOR, DUNCAN (1843-1906) was born at Aberfeldy, Perthshire, and was educated in that parish and at Breadalbane Academy, from which he proceeded on a bursary to Aberdeen University, maintaining himself there by teaching. He graduated M.A. in 1867 after a distinguished career. At Glasgow University he won the coveted Ferguson scholarship in mental science, open to graduates from all Scottish universities. He took his medical degree at Edinburgh in 1870, and in that year was selected as the first professor of mental science and political economy at Otago University, to which he came in the Wild Deer (1871). Macgregor soon gave evidence of the rare width and depth of his philosophy, liberal reading and pronounced views on social questions.

Many future leaders of New Zealand sat at his feet (including Stout, T. W. Hislop, Findlay, Wilding, Downie Stewart, Denniston and Dr Fitchett). In the lecture room and as a peripatetic philosopher rambling with his students, he formed a cult of political thought and wielded considerable influence on the intellectual and social life in New Zealand. He was a man of great stature and strength, excelled in robust sports, and throughout life enjoyed the Highland gatherings of his people. In 1873 he was appointed inspector of lunatic asylums in Otago, and from 1876-82 he was medical superintendent of the Dunedin asylum. In 1886 the Stout Government appointed him Inspector-general of Asylums and administrator of the hospital and charitable aid act. As an administrator he was clear, decisive and bold. He wrote his reports in the striking and forceful English which also characterised his series of articles (in the New Zealand Magazine) on the problem of poverty. He declined the doctorate of Edinburgh, and was awarded that of Aberdeen without being consulted.

Macgregor died on 16 Dec 1906.

Ross; Evening Post, 17, 18 Dec 1906; N.Z. Times, 17 Dec 1906; Thompson, Hist. Univ. Otago; App. H.R., 1879, H.1.

Reference: Volume 2, page 11

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