Modern History & Politics
Donald Anderson (The Rt. Hon. Lord Anderson of Swansea DL)
Since graduating in 1960 in Modern History and Politics, Donald Anderson has progressed through an astounding career in multiple positions.
In the first four years of his professional career, Donald worked for the HM Diplomatic service before becoming a lecturer at Swansea University in 1964. He became an MP of Monmouth in 1964 and later Swansea East in 1974, before which Donald had spent fourteen years as a Barrister for the Inner temple and four years as a Councillor for Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea. In 2005, he was raised to the peerage as Baron Anderson of Swansea and remains a member of the House of Lords.
During his studies, Donald was President of the Debating Club (1958-1959), chaired the Socialist Society and represented the University at Table Tennis. He met his wife Dorothy at Swansea (Dorothy completed her BSc & PhD in Geography) and they married in 1963.
Defining Memories
“The friendliness and ease of contact with the teaching staff stick in my mind. Meeting good friends, we still celebrate my birthday every year with Dr Arwel Edwards (Geography) who was born on the same day and 20 or so of our University friends in Swansea.”
Advice for current students and recent Alumni
"Aim to make all your mistakes at University so then you are less likely to repeat them afterward."