PROFESSOR GILRAY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19862, 3 February 1920, Page 6

PROFESSOR GILRAY.

SUDDEN DEATH. ' t - [Per Press Association - .] , DUNEDIN, February 3.. 'A tragedy marred the opening of the .Otago- University jubilee celebrations to-day. When reading one of the ■Scripture lessons at the opening' service in tlie First Church, Professor Gilray, senior professor, suddenly collapsed over the rending desk and died almost before he could be removed to the anteroom. Professor Gilray was appointed Professor of English in 1890. The late Professor Gilray, M.A., F.R.S.E., filled the chair of English Language and Literature at Otago Tlni|Versity. Ho was horn in Lanarkshire, Scotland, in 1851, and was educated at j, the High School of Edinburgh, where he gained the Carson medal for the best essay on “Spenser’s Life and Poetry,’’ and the medal for dux of tho schopl in English. He subsequently studied at the University of Edinburgh, obtaining tho degree of M.A. with honours in classics, and winning other distinctions. He pursued his studies at Berlin and Heidelberg Universities For three years ho was assistant to Professor Masson, at the Edinburgh University, the Professor filling the Chair of Rhetoric and English Literature. During his last six years in Scotland Professor Gilray was Professor of English Language and Literature in the University College of Dundee. It was in 1889 that he was appointed to the professorial chair which ho has filled for so long and with such distinction in tho Otago University. The name of Gilray is a household one in Dunedin, and throughout Otago and South-land,-the Professor having more than local fame as a lecturer, and being highly esteemed for his personal qualities as well as his scholastic attainments, One of his sons, Dr Colin Gilvay, was a New Zealand Rhodes scholar, and also won renowp as one of Otago’s most brilliant Rugby players.