In Memoriam: The Right Honourable Lord Campbell of Pittenweem

By Kaitlyn Kings

On Friday the 26th of September, our University  lost a valuable member when The Right Honourable Lord Campbell of Pittenweem sadly passed away at age 84. The University was informed by an email from Vice Chancellor Dame Sally Mapstone, and the flags around campus flew at half-mast.

Tributes flooded in from many people, including First Minister John Swinny, who described Campbell as one of the country's most “well-liked political figures" (BBC, 2025).  

King Charles III and The Rt Hon Lord Campbell of Pittenweem during the presentation of Loyal addresses by the privileged bodies, at Buckingham Palace (March 2023) Source: University of St Andrews

In 2006, when Sir Kenneth Dover retired, Campbell was installed as Chancellor at our University. He also received the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws. Campbell greatly involved himself in university life, leading graduation ceremonies, attending Chapel services, and even partaking in a university debate on the topic of Scottish independence. Campbell also gave the University’s Loyal Address to King Charles III in March 2023, a long-standing tradition involving 26 other organisations known as “Privileged Bodies” (University of St Andrews, 2025).

Outside of his involvement in our University, Campbell led a varied and exciting life, the experience and knowledge of which he brought to his role as Chancellor.

Campbell attended the University of Glasgow, where he graduated with a Scottish Master of Arts in 1962 and a Bachelor of Laws in 1965. He later studied International Law at the University of Stanford. In 1968, he took the Scottish Bar exam and became a member of the Queen's Counsel in 1984.

Before Campbell became the academic and political man we knew him as, he enjoyed many successes in the field of athletics. Campbell was a successful sprinter, holding the UK 100m record from 1967 to 1974, captaining the British Men's team at the 1966 Commonwealth Games in Jamaica and representing Great Britain at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964 (BBC , 2025).

Campbell at a 1964 championship. Source: PA Archives

After being encouraged by his wife, Campbell entered politics. His first seat was that of Northeast Fife, which he won in 1987 (University of St Andrews, 2025). This was a considerable achievement for Campbell and the Liberal Democrat party, as for decades this seat had been a Conservative safe seat. In this role, he fought for his constituents, including those at the University of St Andrews.

Campbell led the Liberal Democrat party from March 2006 to October 2007, and during that time promoted many younger MPs to the front bench. He was eventually succeeded by Nick Clegg.

Campbell also held other important positions within the Liberal Democrat party, such as the Spokesperson for Defence and the Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs. Furthermore, he was involved in several international organisations — the likes of the United Nations, the European Union, and NATO (University of St Andrews, 2025).

His political career earned him a place in the House of Lords, which he became a member of in October 2015. Current Liberal Democrat leader, Jeremy Purvis, described him as a “hugely important part of the Liberal Democrat group in the Lords” (Liberal Democrats, 2025). His accolades don’t end there, however, as Campbell also became a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour in 2013, and was knighted the following year.

Source: Getty Images

In 2023, Campbell lost his wife of 50 years, Elspeth Mary Campbell. Campbell proposed to Elspeth within two weeks of their first meeting, and they enjoyed a long and happy marriage, with Campbell describing her as his “constant political companion” (University of St Andrews, 2025).

Our University  was lucky to have such an esteemed, talented, and friendly man as its Chancellor. He will be greatly missed by staff and pupils alike.