Harrison Alexander

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Biografie:
Alexander Harrison 1890-1988
Alexander (Sandy) Harrison, who died in December 1988 in his 99th year, was a remarkable man who - despite being handicapped by blindness in his later years - continued to take a keen interest in current affairs and, particularly, in mountaineering.
Sandy was a grandson of Sir George Harrison, a former Provost of Edinburgh who is remembered for his energy and wide and varied interests, many of which Sandy himself developed in turn. His keen intellect showed at school (Merchiston); afterwards he studied to become a chartered accountant, winning the gold medal of the Scottish Institute for the best candidate.
His career was interrupted by the First World War, in which he was commissioned first in the Royal Scots and then in the Machine Gun Corps (The Suicide Corps); he was one of very few officers in the latter to survive the war. Although listed to travel on the troop train involved in the Gretna disaster, a fortunate last-minute change of plan prevented him from boarding the train.
In professional life Sandy set and maintained a high standard of excellence. His merit and sound judgement were reflected in his appointments which included the Chairmanship of the Standard Life Assurance, of the Edinburgh Investment Trust, of Cowans of Penicuik and of the Edinburgh Savings Bank, and Vice-Chairmanship of the British Linen Bank.
A distinguished mountaineer and a proficient skier, Sandy was elected to the Scottish Mountaineering Club in 1918 and the Alpine Club in 1939. In the 1920s his skill and experience were recognized by an invitation to join one of the expeditions to Mount Everest, which very reluctantly he had to decline due to other commitments. He was one of the first British mountaineers to climb guideless in the Alps, where his companions included Frank Smythe. In 1938 R L G Irving published an anthology which included an article by Smythe graphically portraying how Sandy's endurance and skill enabled the party to descend safely from high on the Schreckhorn in a prolonged storm.
In 1926 Sandy's love of the countryside led him, along with a like-minded group of friends, to found the Association for the Preservation of Rural Scotland. He also played a dominant role in the formation of the National Trust for Scotland in 1931, and he served on various committees of the Trust for many years. As might be expected, he played a very important part in the acquisition of the Trust's mountain properties.
Although latterly handicapped by blindness, Sandy continued to enjoy country walking - with a friend's hand under his elbow when the ground became rough. Always friendly, Sandy is missed not only by his wife jean and close family, but also by a wide circle of friends.
Bill Wallace
Quelle: Alpine Journal Volume 95, 1990-91, Seite 301-302


Geboren am:
1890
Gestorben am:
12.1988