Alastair Iain Macdonald Haggart (10 October 1915 – 11 January 1998) was an eminent Anglican priest.[1]

The Most Reverend

Alastair Haggart
Bishop of Edinburgh
Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church
ChurchScottish Episcopal Church
DioceseEdinburgh
Elected1975
In office1975–1985
PredecessorKenneth Carey
SuccessorRichard Holloway
Other post(s)Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church (1977–1985)
Orders
Ordination1942
by John How
Consecration5 December 1975
by Richard Wimbush
Personal details
Born(1915-10-10)10 October 1915
Died11 January 1998(1998-01-11) (aged 82)
Edinburgh, Scotland
NationalityScottish
DenominationAnglican
ParentsAlexander Macdonald Haggart & Janet Mackay
SpouseMargaret Trundle (1945–1979)
Mary Scholes (1983–1998)
Children2
Alma materDurham University

Biography

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Haggart was born on 10 October 1915 and brought up in Fort William. He was raised in the Free Church of Scotland, but became an Episcopalian in his early 20s. At age 23, he made the decision to train for ministry and studied at Edinburgh Theological College.[2] From there he won an open exhibition to Hatfield College, Durham and graduated with a BA in 1941, and proceeded to an MA four years later.[2] He married Peggy Trundle, a typist, and had two daughters.[2]

As a student, his political convictions were left wing and pacifist.[3] In reaction to the Spanish Civil War, he signed the Peace Pledge.[3] He was active in the Labour Club at Durham as well as the Union.[3]

Career

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Haggart was ordained in 1941. He began his career with curacies at St Mary's Cathedral, Glasgow and St Mary's Hendon.[4] He was precentor at St Ninian's Cathedral, Perth from 1948 to 1951. After this, he was rector of St Oswald's, King's Park, Glasgow[5] and then acting priest-in-charge of St Martin's, Glasgow. In 1959, he became provost of St Paul's Cathedral, Dundee, a post he held until 1969 when he became principal and pantonian professor of his old theological college.

He became Bishop of Edinburgh in 1975;[6] and Primus of the Episcopal Church in Scotland in 1977. He retired from both posts in 1985 and died on 11 January 1998.

References

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  1. ^ Guild, Ivor (19 January 1998). "Obituary: The Right Rev Alastair Haggart". The Independent. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "Haggart, Alastair Iain Macdonald (1915–1998), Scottish Episcopal bishop of Edinburgh". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. 2004. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/69132. ISBN 978-0-19-861412-8. Retrieved 20 September 2018. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  3. ^ a b c Templeton, Elizabeth, ed. (2002). Travelling with Resilience: Essays for Alastair Haggart. Edinburgh: Scottish Episcopal Church. p. 6. ISBN 0905573544.
  4. ^ Crockford's Clerical Directory1947–48 Oxford, OUP, 1948
  5. ^ ”Scottish Episcopal Clergy, 1689–2000" Bertie, D.M: Edinburgh T & T Clark ISBN 0-567-08746-8
  6. ^ Diocesan web-site
Religious titles
Preceded by Provost of St Paul's Cathedral, Dundee
1959–1969
Succeeded by
Preceded by Bishop of Edinburgh
1975–1985
Succeeded by
Preceded by Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church
1977–1985
Succeeded by