GILRAY, THOMAS (1851-1920) was born in Lanarkshire and educated at the High School in Edinburgh, where he gained many prizes and was Carson medallist. At Edinburgh University he graduated M.A. with honours in classics and the rectorial prize, and he proceeded to Heidelberg and Berlin. He was three years assistant to Professor Masson at Edinburgh; three years master at the Watsonian College; head English master at Glasgow Academy; and six years professor of English at Dundee University.

In 1889 Gilray was appointed professor of English at Otago University, a position which he held till his death (in 1920). (Honorary LL.D. Edinburgh.) He was chairman of the professorial board (1907-10). A most successful teacher and lecturer, Gilray was keenly interested in Carlyle, and raised funds in New Zealand for the acquisition of Carlyle's house in Chelsea for a museum.

Cycl. NZ., iv (p); Who's Who NZ., 1908; Otago Daily Times, 4 Feb 1920.

Reference: Volume 1, page 165

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