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Only two people worked at Queen ������ý ’s when it opened in March 1842. One of them, The Reverend Peter Colin Campbell, had long been a mysterious figure in the university ������ý ’s history. As the first professor, Reverend Campbell taught classical literature, which was seen as essential material for university students. Very little was known about him until Dr. Barbara Reeves, a professor in Queen ������ý ’s Department of Classics, began researching Queen ������ý ’s history as part of her department ������ý ’s 175 celebrations.

Since January, Dr. Reeves has been researching and sharing stories about the history of classics at Queen ������ý ’s through a dedicated Facebook page.  It was the lack of information on Reverend Campbell that caught her attention. “He is actually one of the 26 founders listed on Queen ������ý ’s Charter and the only one who becomes a Queen ������ý ’s professor,” she explains.  In fact, Reverend Campbell went on to become principal at the University of Aberdeen.  

During her research, Dr. Reeves uncovered a copy of a 33-page document that Reverend Campbell presented to the Legislature of (the Province of) Canada in 1845 on the role of university in society. “He ������ý ’s a very thoughtful, intelligent individual. So it ������ý ’s no surprise he ends up being principal of a prestigious university because thinking about education was very important to him,” says Dr. Reeves. 

Next week, she will share everything she has learned about this mysterious figure in Queen ������ý ’s history during a kick-off to Homecoming lecture. When Dr. Reeves began her project, she discovered that there wasn’t even have a picture of Reverend Campbell in the Queen ������ý ’s Archives. Working with an undergraduate research student, Dr. Reeves has uncovered a trove of new information about Queen ������ý ’s first professor. She now has a photograph of him, thanks to the University of Aberdeen Archives and a much more complete picture of his life story.

Attend the lecture

• Queen ������ý ’s First Professor: Peter Colin Campbell, Professor of Classical Literature – Friday, October 14^th at 10:30 AM).  Watson Hall, RM 517

Learn more about Classics at Queen ������ý ’s

• Classics @ 175 Facebook Page
• Classics @ 175 Reception & Archaeology Open House – Homecoming Weekend – October 15^th (9:45 AM – 11:45 AM).  Watson Hall, 5^th floor.