Old Photograph Donald Petrie Born In Moray Scotland

Old photograph of Donald Petrie, a Scottish botanist noted for his work in New Zealand, who was born on 7 September 1846, in the parish of Edinkillie, South of Forres, Moray, Scotland. He was the son of Alexander Petrie, a farmer, and his wife, Isabel Morrison. Donald was educated at Aberdeen Grammar School, and later attended the University of Aberdeen, graduating MA in 1867. He taught briefly at the Glasgow Free Church Training College and the Glasgow Academy and then, in 1867, took up a position at Scotch College, Melbourne, Australia, where his uncle, Alexander Morrison, was principal. Over the next six years Petrie gained a reputation as a sound and scholarly teacher of classics, also making an impression with his tall and commanding' appearance and quiet and gentlemanl' demeanour. In October 1873 he applied successfully for the position of inspector of schools with the provincial government in Otago, New Zealand. He published and revised textbooks on geography between 1878 and 1886 and was said to have revolutionised the teaching of infants. He was re-appointed an inspector when education became a national responsibility in 1877, and from 1894 until his retirement in 1910 was chief inspector of schools to the Auckland Education Board. An active member of the Otago Institute, Petrie was elected a fellow of the Linnean Society of London (1886) and served as president of the Auckland Institute (1896). He was one of the 20 original fellows of the New Zealand Institute In 1911 and held several positions there, including council member, member of the board of governors, and president in 1915. He died on 1 September 1925.



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