Dewar, Donald Campbell

▪ 2001

      U.K. statesman (b. Aug. 21, 1937, Glasgow, Scot.—d. Oct. 11, 2000, Edinburgh, Scot.), was for many years a leading proponent of Scottish devolution; he saw his desire become reality and in the process became first minister of Scotland's first Parliament in almost 300 years. A witty, brilliant man known for his exceptional debating skill, Dewar garnered respect from his Labour Party peers, as well as from the opposition, owing to his devotion to civil service and 26 years of service as a member of the U.K. Parliament. His standing, his geniality, and his characteristic moderation made him the ideal candidate to work out the difficulties of Scottish devolution, and he came to be known in Scotland as the “Father of the Nation,” a title that he immediately tried to downplay. Dewar attended Glasgow Academy and studied law at the University of Glasgow. In 1966 he entered Parliament as MP for Aberdeen South, a seat he lost in the 1970 election. Dewar practiced law until 1978, when he won election as MP in the Glasgow Garscadden by-election. He served as shadow Scottish secretary in the 1980s. In 1992 he was named shadow social services secretary, and he later took the post of chief whip. Prime Minister Tony Blair named him Scottish secretary after Labour won the 1997 general election. Dewar then went to work on drafting the bill that would create a Scottish Parliament. Although some opponents found the proposal too nationalistic, Dewar saw his job through, and in July 1999 he reached the peak of his political career when he opened the Scottish Parliament as first minister. His brief time in the post was marked by turmoil that led many to believe that the man who created the Parliament was not necessarily the right one to lead it, but through it all he remained one of his country's most trusted and beloved public servants.

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