Robin Harper - Personal Biography

Personal (Quick!) Biography

I have stood for the Greens at local, national and European elections since 1986. I was elected as Lothians first Green MSP, indeed Britain’s first Green parliamentarian on 1st May 1999. I am married with one stepson.

I was educated at Elgin Academy, Morayshire and St. Marylebone Grammar School, and went on to Aberdeen University where I achieved MA in 1962 and Edinburgh University where I was awarded Dip.GC in 1992.

During the course of my teaching career, I taught in Aberdeen, Glasgow, Fife, Kenya, Midlothian and Edinburgh, covering a wide range of subjects including English, History, Science, Drama and Modern Studies. From 1972 to 1999 I taught modern studies at Boroughmuir High School, Edinburgh.

I am on the Board of several theatre companies and am keen on promoting outdoor education, art, music and drama. I was a member of Lothian Health Council from 1993 to 1998 and Lothian Children’s panel (1985-88).

I was elected Rector of Edinburgh University in March 2001, a post that was held until March 2003. I received Best Politician of the Year Award from the Scottish Renewables Forum in 2002 and accepted Election Performance of the Year Award on behalf of the Scottish Green Party at the Scottish Politician of the Year Awards 2003.