History of Founder’s Day

The first Founder’s Day was held on Friday 27^th April 1934, with a Service in the West Church of St Nicholas. The oration was delivered by Baillie John D. Munro, the Convener of the School Committee.

It was Headmaster I. Graham Andrew who introduced the custom.  He felt it was important to do justice to the memory of Robert Gordon by the whole school community coming together once a year.  The date in April was chosen to mark the Founder’s death in April 1731.

The pupils were led out of the front gates and along Schoolhill by the pipe band.  After the church service and oration, two wreaths were laid below the Founder’s Memorial Tablet in Drum’s Aisle, on behalf of the Former Pupils Association and the School.

The date of Founder’s Day changed to the Autumn term in 2000, the year of the 250th anniversary of the opening of the College. That year, because it was a special occasion, the service was held in the Music Hall to accommodate the large numbers of guests. Since then, the service has been held back in St Nicholas Kirk in September, to coincide with the Aberdeen holiday weekend.

Further information

• Founder's Day Orators