Dux Medal of the Elgin Schools
Sculptor: Portsmouth, Percy Herbert, RSA · 1874-1953
The genesis of the Dux Medal is not known but its roots probably lie in the relationships formed by Portsmouth during his design for the Elgin War Memorial.
The decision to erect a War Memorial in Elgin was first taken at a meeting chaired by Lord Provost Forsyth on 26 November 1919, and the unveiling and dedication ceremony of the completed Memorial on 4 December 1921 was presided over by Lord Provost Forsyth.
Amongst the Lord Provost's many official duties was that of chairing the Elgin District School Management Committee. In this regard he must have known Edward S Harrison a prominent local businessman and local benefactor who served on the Elgin Burgh School Board from 1907.
It was Mr Harrison and his wife who were the benefactors of the present medal which was first awarded in June1925.
The identity of the youth whose profile features on the obverse face of the medal s not known. The term Dux was traditionally given to the top performing pupil in the senior class of a school. This is reflected in the laurel wreath which graces the youth's head; marking him as the "victorious scholar." The laurel wreath reappears on the reverse face, partially hidden by the shield on which lies three symbols of learning, the blazing sun, the open book and the lamp of knowledge.
The medal was first awarded at the annual prize giving at West End School in Elgin in June 1925 with Mr Harrison in the chair and his wife handing out the prizes, as reported in the Aberdeen Press and Journal in its 1 July 1925 issue. Nancy Stalker was the first recipient of the medal.
Additional details
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Object data
Date 1925 Accession 2025.0020 Type Medal, prize Bronze Materials Medium Bronze Dimensions The depth is irregular across the medal
15cm
1.5cmAcquisition Gift Stanley, Halina -
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