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Andrew Miller M.A.

The first Rector of the Miller Institution, Andrew Miller M.A., came from Perth Academy and was a graduate of St Andrew’s University.  He studied at St Andrew’s from 1850 to 1854, following a four year Arts degree course in Literature and Science.  He graduated on 28^th April 1854 after an impressive academic career.  A letter from the Department of Manuscripts and Muniments, sent to former Miller Academy teacher Christine Robb, reports Andrew Miller’s successes.  He was awarded in 1851 the prize as the best pupil in the first or junior Mathematical Class, in 1852 as the best in the second Mathematical Class and in 1853 as the best in the third and highest Mathematical Class.  In each of those years the prizes amounted to £2, £3 and £5 respectively.

When Andrew Miller left Perth Academy for the Miller Institution his departure was reported in some detail in the Perth newspapers and his former school gave him gifts of a microscope and scientific instruments

The Perthshire Advertiser of 27^th April 1862 reported:

‘Mr. Andrew Miller of the Perth Academy was recently appointed to Thurso, and his present and former pupils in this city embraced the opportunity of presenting him with a token of their respect for his character and talents, and of their appreciation of his diligence and success as a teacher, as well as of affection for him personally.  This consisted of an elegant and powerful microscope, obtained from Messrs. Ash & Sons, London, through Mr. Crichton, jeweller, George Street.  The presentation took place in Mr. Miller's own classroom in the Academy, which was filled with young ladies and gentlemen; and Dr. Miller, the Rector, who had been requested to preside on the occasion, pronounced a high eulogium on Mr Miller's literary and scientific attainments, and on the distinguished place which he had occupied at school and college.  Although the situation he held here had been formerly filled by such men as the late Professor Wallace of Edinburgh, who, in the words of Lord Brougham, was one of the two most profound mathematicians in the Empire, by Professor Ritchie of the University of London, by the late Rev.Dr. Gordon of the High Church of Edinburgh, and by the Rev. Dr. Forbes of Glasgow, than whom there is not a more respected clergyman or eminent mathematician in Scotland, he considered Mr. Miller a worthy successor to these learned men.  He, personally, felt his removal exceedingly, as he had been his colleague for more than 6 years, and during the whole of that period he had invariably enjoyed the most agreeable and friendly intercourse with him; but still he was delighted at his good fortune.  He carried with him the warmest attachment of all his friends, and their best wishes for health and strength to enable him to discharge the important duties of his new situation in such a manner as may redound [sic] to his own honour, as well as to that of the patrons from whom he derived it.  Mr. Miller suitably replied.

On Monday last a deputation, consisting of Messrs. Lamb, Whitelaw, and Donaldson, waited upon Mr. Miller, and presented him with a handsome chest of chemical apparatus, bearing the following inscription; - "Presented to Andrew Miller, A.M.[*] on the occasion of his leaving Perth for Thurso, as a token of esteem and affection from a few of his private friends. - Ma r c h, 1862."

On Wednesday, last week, a soiree was held in the hall adjoining the South U.P.Church - Rev. Mr Miller, in the chair - and after tea had been served, the chairman, in name of a number of the members of the congregation, presented Mr Miller with a purse containing 20 sovereigns as a token of the esteem in which he is held for his personal worth, and for the many arid valuable services he has rendered to the South Church. In the course of the evening, several addresses were delivered, the speakers all giving expression to the same sentiments of regard for Mr Miller, of regret on account of the loss which his removal from Perth will occasion, and of congratulation that he has been appointed to a situation which he is so well qualified to fill, and the duties of which he cannot fail to discharge with credit to himself, and with satisfaction to all who may have him as their teacher. *[LatinJ Artium Magister,[Eng.trans.] Master of Arts, M.A.’

The Perthshire Journal and Constitutional of 27^th March 1862 carried a report of the ‘Soiree and Presentation’ organised to mark the departure of Andrew Miller to his new post in Thurso.

‘On the evening of Wednesday last week, a soiree was held in the hall adjoining the South United Presbyterian Church, on the occasion of Mr Andrew Miller, M.A., assistant teacher in Rector Miller's department of the Seminaries, leaving Perth to occupy the position of headmaster, in the Miller Academy, Thurso. The Rev. Mr Miller, pastor of the congregation occupied the chair, and, after tea had been served, presented Mr. Miller with a purse, containing 20 sovereigns, as a token of the high regard in which he was held by the members of the congregation, and on account of his unwearied labours as superintendent of the congregational Sabbath-school.  During the evening short addresses were delivered by Messrs. M'Neill, Colin A. Hunt, J.H.Jackson, James Readdie, and Hodgson - all expressive of the regret felt at his removal from them, and also congratulating him upon his appointment to a situation which he cannot fail to discharge with credit to himself and satisfaction to all with whom he may have to deal.’

The Perthshire Courier also felt the matter of enough importance to report upon it in its edition of 25^th March 1862 in the local news column.

‘Complimentary Soiree - On the evening of Wednesday last week a soiree was held in the hall adjoining the South United Presbyterian Church on the occasion of Mr Andrew Miller M.A. leaving Perth to become head master of the Miller Academy, Thurso. The chair was occupied by the Rev. Mr Miller. When tea had been served, the Chairman, in name of a number of members of the congregation presented Mr Miller with a purse containing 20 sovereigns, as a token of the esteem in which he is held for his personal merit, and for the many and valuable services he has rendered the church.  In the course of the evening several addresses were delivered, the speakers all giving expression to the same sentiments of regard for Mr Miller - of regret on account of the loss which his removal from Perth will occasion - and of congratulation that he has been appointed to a situation which he is so well qualified to fill, and the duties of which he cannot fail to discharge with credit to himself, and with satisfaction to all who may have him for their teacher.’

As early as 1855, there is reference in the Perth Town Council Minutes to Mr Miller in relation to his teaching post at Perth Academy.  In that year he was appointed as an assistant teacher at the school and came from the Grammar School of Berwick-upon-Tweed with excellent references having clearly, according to Council Minutes, been ‘head-hunted’.  Rector Miller of the Perth Academy said, ‘It appears from Mr Miller’s testimonials, which were submitted to all the Magistrates, that he (Mr Miller) is a most correct and exemplary young man, who will, I hope and trust, discharge the duties of his new situation in such a manner, as to merit the approbation of the Patrons of the Institution and the Public.’

In the following years, 1856, 1857 1858, 1859, 1860 and 1861, the Rector of Perth Academy is recorded as having written to the council seeking and obtaining the services of Andrew Miller.  In 1862, Rector Thomas Miller reported by letter to the Council that Andrew Miller had been appointed to the post of Rector of Miller Institution, Thurso.

An indication of the subjects taught in 1860 by Andrew Miller is given in the Perth Council Minutes.  He taught four hour long classes each day and was engaged in teaching senior pupils Arithmetic, Book-keeping and Practical Mathematics, junior pupils Book-keeping, Mensuration and Arithmetic Theory and Practice.  In the evening he taught young men engaged in business Arithmetic and Mathematics.  The cost of the evening class was 3s 6d per quarter.

Andrew Miller’s short stay in Thurso ended with his acceptance of a teaching post in Dundee High School, known at that time formally as Dundee Public Seminaries and more commonly as the Academy.  He was at this school initially as an assistant to the head of the Mathematical and Science department, Mr George Dott.  Upon the retiral of Mr Dott, the headship of the department was undertaken by Andrew Miller in about 1887.