McManus 168

George Dott was born in 1824 to Andrew Dott, shipmaster, and Lilias Dishington. From Anstruther Wester, George Dott, in his teens, would appear to have spent some time as a clerk, in East Wemyss,^[16] before making his way to St Andrew’s University.^[13]

Prior to his marriage to Lilias Dishington, in August of 1855, George Dott held teaching appointments at Merchiston, Edinburgh and Perth Academy. He joined the staff of Dundee Public Seminaries in September 1855, where he was to spend the following 34 years.

George Dott’s interests in Dundee extended beyond the walls of the High School. In the 1860s, he was involved with the ‘Working Men’s College.’^[11] In April of 1862, a social meeting and presentation was held, at which George Dott was presented with a ‘handsome easy chair – presented to George Dott Esq. by the Algebra and Geometry class of the Dundee Working Men’s College as a mark of respect for him as their teacher.’^[11]

Outwith teaching, George Dott was successful in an examination ‘before the officials of the Board of Trade in a highly satisfactory manner and has now entered on his duties at the Board.’^[12] This enabled him to become an Examiner in Navigation. His father, having been a shipmaster, perhaps sparked his interest in this direction.

George Dott tendered his letter of resignation from teaching (at the same time as his colleague, James Glass) in June of 1889.^[13] The Directors of the High School, ‘on learning that Mr Dott was to retire, were kind enough to offer him a retiring allowance, such as their finances could afford and which Mr Dott, from the state of his health, thought it would be judicious to accept.’^[13] He was presented with £400 and a gold watch.^[13]

In reply, Mr Dott felt compelled to draw attention to the fact that ‘These were the days of compulsory education and compulsory examinations.’^[13] His own impression was that ‘the teachers’ profession was deserving of more sympathy and support and should stand higher in estimation, on account of the additional responsibility placed upon it.’^[13] – a sentiment echoed by many today.

After his death in 1907, his daughter made a gift of £400^[14] to reflect the fondness held by her father for  the High School. The Directors of The High School of Dundee used the donation to fund numerous medals and prizes, including the Dott Memorial Prize for Dux in Mathematics and Dux in Music.^[14]