William Still Littlejohn

Who was William Still Littlejohn?

William Still Littlejohn was headmaster of Scotch College, Melbourne 1904–1933.

Littlejohn was born in Turriff, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, the son of Wilson Littlejohn, a watchmaker and jeweller, and his wife Margaret, née Gordon. Educated at the board schools at Alford and Peterhead, Aberdeen Grammar School Littlejohn then entered the University of Aberdeen. He was registered as a teacher in 1879 and taught at Clydesdale College, Hamilton, then tutored privately.

Littlejohn's father and brother had emigrated to New Zealand, in 1881 they obtained nominated passages for the rest of the family. William Littlejohn was assistant master at Nelson College from 1882 to 1898 and principal from 1898.

Littlejohn successfully applied for the position of headmaster at Scotch College, Melbourne, a position he held until his death at the school on 7 October 1933. Littlejohn insisted upon improvements at the school before commencing and continued building the school. In 1914 the school moved from East Melbourne to Hawthorn, by 1923 there were 1200 students.