Biography of Alfred Mercier

Alfred Mercier, previously of the University of Geneva, was the first appointee to the Lectureship of French Language and Literature at the University of Glasgow in 1895.

Mercier pushed the University for changes in teaching, such as in 1887 when he wished to implement extra classes for students who had learned French at school, but who found themselves unprepared for university-level French. His demands were prompted by the preliminary examination in 1897 in which only 98 out of the 154 candidates for French failed, less than 40% passed. Mercier also wished to give students a more practical and general knowledge of French.

In 1898 he also demanded his classes not be arranged according to gender but to strength of ability which was not common place at this time. Such forward thinking in teaching methodology led to his resignation later on that year. When he was reappointed lecturer for the academic year 1898/99, he was told to stop his extra classes. Mercier refused and with no agreement reached, he resigned to take up the position of Lecturer of French at the University of St Andrews on 15 October 1898.

Summary

Alfred Mercier
GU Degree:
University Link: Lecturer
Occupation categories: philologists
English snippet: Fist Lectureship of French at the University of Glasgow
Record last updated: 15th Apr 2013

Country Associations

France, No Region

University Connections

University Roles

• Lecturer