Geoffrey Finlayson was one of East Dunbartonshire's most eminent historians. He was the son of Alexander Finlayson who was minister of Campsie High Church between the wars. Geoff lived at 74 Hawthorn Avenue Lenzie from 1948 to 1968 and was educated at Melville College, Edinburgh, Glasgow Academy and the Universities of Glasgow and Oxford. His sisters Evelyn (Jenkins) and Marjory (Weir) lived locally. He was an elder of Lenzie Old Parish Church. He loved Arran, cats and dogs and was good at cricket, golf and tennis. He lectured in history at Glasgow University for over thirty years. He had a fantastic sense of humour.
 |
| Geoffrey Finlayson, 1934-92. (© Les Jenkins) |
His published works were England in the 1830s (1969), a biography of the Seventh Earl of Shaftesbury (1981), and Citizen State and Social Welfare, Britain 1830 to 1990 (published posthumously in 1994). Also several articles. He worked for the SQA and was on the team which produced Revised Higher History
Geoff is survived by his wife Elizabeth, daughters Jane and Laura and six grandchildren. His full name was Geoffrey Beauchamp Alistair Moubray Finlayson. His marking signature was GBAMF. Les Jenkins of this society is his nephew.
Geoffrey Finlayson died of a heart attack in his room at Glasgow University on Wednesday 29th January 1992. He was 57 years old and is buried with his parents in the churchyard at Fogo, Berwickshire.
Les Jenkins
Return to Local History
