R. E. Alexander

A portrait of R. E. Alexander, Director of the College (1909-1936). Mr R. E. Alexander, was educated at a first-class school in Dublin, and then went on to his father's farm at Imlick, in Londonderry, where he got the best of practical 'experience until he was 20. His father dying and an elder brother succeeding, Mr Alexander farmed on his own land in Newtowncunningham, in Londonderry, for seven years. He then took two short summer courses in agricultural science, and two full years at the Royal College of Science, Dublin. His attainments were so conspicuous that at the close of his course he was appointed to act as Agricultural Instructor in County Londonderry. After two very successful years he relinquished this post for that of Agriculturist at the Albert Agricultural College, Glasnevin, County Dublin, which he had held three and a half years when he applied for Lincoln. At the Albert College he gave four lectures a 'week for forty weeks, and also took the students on the farm, for the management of which he was solely responsible, the practice including tillage, grazing, dairying, and the breeding of Shorthorn cattle, swine and poultry. Mr Alexander arrived in Christchurch on May 6th, and that afternoon, accompanied by Mrs Alexander, their little boy.