Archive of Alexander Mair Wilkie

Collection

How to
request

Only individual files or items can be requested not entire collections, series, or sub-series

Use the Navigate this collection tree to find the materials you wish to request for viewing in a reading room, at file or item level, then click the Request this button on those pages.

Help

The papers in this collection cover the years 1935-1969 and fall into two groups: MSS. Brit. Emp. s. 383/1 and 2 contain material relating to Wilkie's experiences as a Colonial Administrative Service trainee and Cadet in Kenya; MSS. Brit. Emp. s. 383/3-4 are concerned with the Western Pacific, and include correspondence dating from his years as British Resident Commissioner, New Hebrides (Vanuatu).

Dates

Creation: 1935-1969

Extent

0.4 linear metres (4 boxes)

Language of Materials

English
French
Swahili
Arabic

Preferred Citation

Oxford, Bodleian Libraries [followed by shelfmark and folio or page reference, e.g. MSS. Brit. Emp. s. 383/1, folder 1, fol. 1].

Please see our help page for further guidance on citing archives and manuscripts.

Full range of shelfmarks:

MSS. Brit. Emp. s. 383/1-4

Collection ID (for staff)

CMD ID 4901

Additional Description

Abstract

Archive of Alexander Mair Wilkie (1917-1966), colonial administrator.

Biographical / Historical

Alexander Mair Wilkie, CMG (Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George) (1962), was born in Scotland on 24 May 1917. He was educated at Hillhead High School in Glasgow, Glasgow University, and at Christ's College, Cambridge.

In 1940, Wilkie joined the Colonial Administrative Service and was posted to Kenya as a Cadet. In Sep of the same year, he was released for military service and served in the East African Forces until 1943. After military service, he returned to Kenya, where he held the posts of District Officer in Kilifi (1943-1947), Clerk to the Executive and Legislative Councils (1947-1950), and Assistant Financial Secretary (1950-1953).

After a short period on secondment to the British Treasury in London (1953-1955), Wilkie returned overseas. He was appointed Development Secretary to the British Solomon Islands (1955-1957), Financial Secretary to the Western Pacific High Commission (1957-1962), and, in 1962, became British Resident Commissioner in the New Hebrides (Vanuatu). Wilkie died on 13 Aug 1966.