Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Reid, Alexander (1802-1860)
REID, ALEXANDER (1802–1860), schoolmaster, was born at Thornhill in Dumfriesshire in 1802. His father, a merchant, came from Aberdeenshire. The son was educated at the parish school at Thornhill, and afterwards at Edinburgh University, where, after distinguishing himself in the rhetoric classes, he graduated M.A. From September 1822 onwards he was parish schoolmaster at Dornock, Dumfriesshire, when he prepared himself to enter the church of Scotland. He was licensed by the presbytery of Annan in 1827. Through his connection with Dr. Andrew Thomson (1779–1831) [q. v.], he was appointed (27 July 1827) chief master of St. George's School, Edinburgh. In 1829 he was appointed to the Circus Place school in Edinburgh, formed after the model of an English preparatory school with advanced classes. This school was established about the same time as the Edinburgh Academy. Reid remained connected with it till 1846, except for a short interval in 1832–3, when he took charge of a school in Dublin. Between 1833 and 1846 his smaller school-books were chiefly written. His most important work was his ‘English Dictionary,’ which he issued in 1844. It cost him much labour, and over-work brought on serious illness. In 1849, partially recovered, he was appointed by the Free Church of Scotland inspector of primary schools. In 1850, after receiving from the university of Aberdeen the honorary degree of LL.D., he purchased the proprietary school known as the Edinburgh Institution, the aim of which was to provide a ‘modern’ education of a high-class character. The school was energetically worked, and removed from Hill Street to Queen Street. In 1858 Reid's health gave way entirely. He retired from the school, and died on 29 June 1860.
In 1833 he married the third daughter of J. Greig, parish minister of Dalmeny, Linlithgowshire.
A medallion of Reid was made after his death by Brodie the sculptor. A replica in stucco is in the Edinburgh Institution. Reid's chief publication was ‘A Dictionary of the English Language, containing the pronunciation, etymology, and explanation of all words authorised by eminent writers. To which are added a vocabulary of the roots of English words and an accented list of proper names,’ Edinburgh, 1844, 12mo; 9th ed. 1853; 17th ed. 1863; 18th ed. 1864. Among his other works were: ‘An Outline of Sacred Geography’ (15th ed. 1861); ‘Rudiments of English Composition,’ Edinburgh, 1839, 12mo; 18th ed. 1872 (with Key, 1843, 1872); ‘Rudiments of English Grammar’ (1837, 12mo; 23rd ed. 1874, 16mo); and of Modern Geography (1837, 16mo; 53rd ed. 1893). A third edition of ‘Selection from A. Reid's “Rudiments of Geography,” transliterated into the Nāgarī character for the use of the lower English classes in Indian schools, by Ganesa Mārtanda Srotriya,’ appeared at Poona in 1888, 16mo. Reid also adapted Kitto's ‘History of Palestine’ (1843) and P. F. Tytler's ‘History of Scotland’ (1851).
[Private information from J. R. Reid, esq., late of Bengal Civil Service, son of Dr. Reid, and Dr. R. Ferguson, Principal of the Edinburgh Institution.]