Alan James Bruford, 1937–1995

Abstract

It is my sad task to announce the loss of Alan Bruford who died suddenly earlier this year. Dr Alan James Bruford had been archivist of the School of Scottish Studies since 1965. As archivist, field worker and teacher, he was a tireless advocate for the traditions and culture of Scotland. Born in Edinburgh in 1937, he was educated at Edinburgh Academy and Winchester College. He went on to read History and Anglo-Saxon at St John's College Cambridge. He then returned to Edinburgh to pursue post-graduate research at Edinburgh University. This included a year at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies where he worked, among other projects, at the Irish Folklore Commission. He was appointed archivist at the School in 1965 and remained there in that capacity until his death. Although he himself was born in Edinburgh, Alan had a particular interest, as well as family connections, in Orkney and Shetland. This is reflected in his field work, broadcasts and in several articles, the most recent being his contribution on Identity of the Good Neighbors in Orkney and which appeared in Peter Narvaiez's collection of contemporary fairylore studies, The Good People (New York: Garland, 1991). Folk song and folk music also featured among his interests and his publications. This is reflected in his studies on Highland fiddle music, the subject of a pamphlet in collaboration with Ailie Munro in 1974 and in several articles on the folk song and music traditions of Orkney and Shetland and in numerous contributions to Tocher.