Oliver McGregor, Baron McGregor of Durris

Oliver Ross McGregor, Baron McGregor of Durris (25 August 1921 – 10 November 1997) was a British sociologist, social historian and public servant.

Early life Oliver Ross McGregor was born on 25 August 1921 in Durris, Kincardineshire, the son of a Scottish tenant farmer. At the outbreak of the Second World War, he enlisted as a gunner, before being seconded to the War Office and the Ministry of Agriculture. After demobilisation, he pursued higher education at the London School of Economics (LSE), graduating with first class honours in Economic History.

Academic career McGregor worked as an assistant lecturer and lecturer in Economic History at Hull University (1945–1947). In 1947, he joined Bedford College, University of London, as a lecturer. He served as reader in Social Institutions (1960–1964) and later as Professor of Social Institutions (1964–1985), retiring shortly after Bedford College merged with Royal Holloway College. From 1964 to 1977, he was Head of the Department of Sociology at Bedford. He also chaired the Board of Studies and the Board of Examiners in Social Policy and Administration. He became a Labour life peer and an active crossbencher in the House of Lords.

From 1980 to 1990, McGregor chaired the Advertising Standards Authority, revising industry codes in an attempt to safeguard public interest. In 1991, he became the inaugural chairman of the Press Complaints Commission (1991–1994), navigating controversies like the press coverage of the Prince and Princess of Wales and the publication of Andrew Morton's book on Princess Diana.

Honours McGregor was awarded an Honorary Fellowship at the LSE (1977) and an honorary degree from Bristol University (1986).

Personal life McGregor married Nell Weate in 1944 and had three sons with her.

He died in London on 10 November 1997.