John Yule Mackay

John Yule Mackay (1860–1930) was a Scottish anatomist and Academic who served as the second Principal of University College Dundee.

Early life and career Mackay started his academic career as a student at the University of Glasgow. In 1881 he graduated with a MB CM and four years later was awarded an MD. He was then appointed lecturer in embryology at Glasgow, holding that position until 1894.

Principal The year after Mackay arrived at Dundee, the College's Principal William Peterson left the College and Mackay was appointed as his successor, an appointment made permanent in 1897. He simultaneously continued to act as Professor of Anatomy until 1925. Nicknamed 'The Chief', Shafe describes him as 'a good administrator with a fine business mind'. In 1896 along with Cleland, his former superior at Glasgow, he produced the works Textbook of Human Anatomy and Dictionary of Dissection. In October 1924 Mackay delivered a historic public lecture on 'Primitive Man' at University College. This was the inaugural lecture in a series held in partnership with the Dundee Naturalists Society. This series was the start of what would evolve into the University of Dundee's Saturday Evening Lecture Series, which celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2014.

Although in failing health, he remained Principal until 1930, dying shortly after his retirement. Mackay died unmarried on 30 March 1930. His funeral took place in Dundee’s St Enoch’s Church, where he had been an elder, and he was buried in Barnhill Cemetery.