Tate, Alexander James – King’s head was an Irishman

Alexander James Tate, MA (1874-1931)

IRISH-born A J Tate was headmaster at Grantham King’s School  from 1917-1931.

A graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, where he was a gold medallist in classics.

A tall distinguished looking man, he was a master at Lincoln Grammar School from 1899-1901, where he met and married the daughter of headmaster Canon Fowler.

From there he spent five years at Truro Grammar School, then assistant master at Owen’s School, Islington until his move to Grantham in 1917, succeeding the Rev C B Nicholl.

During his tenure, the school nearly trebled in size to 270 scholars. He also instigated Founder’s Day to celebrate Bishop Foxe.

He was an active Freemason, one of the senior brethren of Doric Lodge and a sidesman at St Wulfram’s Church.