Alexander CAIRNDUFF

CAIRNDUFF, ALEXANDER (b. Belfast, Ireland, 1815; d. Hobart, Tas, 12 Sept 1880). Schoolmaster.

Presbyterian by upbringing, enthusiastic Sunday school organiser, and keen acquirer of fragments of tertiary education, Cairnduff vacillated between schoolmasterly and clerical aspirations. He taught first in Ulster, and then as assistant schoolmaster in Pentonville Prison. In 1843 he moved to VDL, appointed religious instructor to convicts. In 1845 he sought first Anglican and then Presbyterian ordination, but in neither case successfully; however he did serve until 1855 as assistant in country Presbyterian parishes. Cairnduff was styled 'Rev', but was probably never ordained. From 1854-70 he was proprietor of the Hobart Town Academy, but competed with decreasing success against older, endowed secondary schools. A voluntaryist and free churchman, Cairnduff in 1859 became chairman of the Southern Anti-State Aid Association. After the Academy failed, he taught in St Mary's Seminary and A Ireland's Collegiate School.

ADB 2; J Heyer, Presbyterian Pioneers of Van Diemen’s Land (Hobart, 1949)

RICHARD ELY