Christine Margaret Macgregor

Christine Margaret Barr Smith, fifth grandchild of Robert Barr Smith and daughter of Tom and Mary Isobel (Molly) Barr Smith, was born in Torrens Park, South Australia, on 23 January 1890.

Christine was educated at home by a governess and led a sheltered life, occupying her leisure time in needlework, music and tennis until 'coming out' at eighteen. She was first married in 1910, at the age of twenty,  to Joss Wright, Aide-de-Camp to the Governor at the time, Sir Day Hort Bosanquet.

By 1911, Christine had moved to London, England with her husband.  In 1912 Joss Wright was posted to Egypt and the young couple made their home there until World War I was declared.  In November 1914, Christine became a widow after Joss was killed in action at Ypres.  Christine lived with her aunt in England briefly before returning to Adelaide in 1915.  

In 1919, Christine returned to England. In March or April, 1920 she married Major General Sir Reginald Buckland, whom she had first met when in Egypt.  Christine began to gain a serious interest in book collecting from 1920 onwards.  Beautiful limited editions were readily available at the time thanks to the second generation Private Press Movement, which resulted in her collection featuring many books from the great private presses such as the Nonesuch, Gregynog, Kelmscott and the Golden Cockerel. Christine continued to collect right up until her death in 1974.

In 1933 Sir Reginald Buckland was killed in a road accident, leaving Christine widowed for a second time.  

In 1937, Christine married for a third time to Duncan Macgregor,  a don in Classics at Balliol College.  They remained married until 1939 when Duncan died of consumption.  Christine remained in Oxford, England until 1945 when she then returned permanently to Adelaide.

In 1924 and 1947, Christine took lessons in piano and pianoforte at the Elder Conservatorium of Music.  A music lover and accomplished pianist, Macgregor made in 1966 a large endowment to the University of Adelaide to help fund the Elder Overseas Scholarships in Music.

Christine Macgregor passed away on 14 January 1974.  After her death, Christine bequeathed her collection of nearly 5,000 books (except one) to the University of Adelaide Barr Smith Library, of which around 500 were considered significant enough to be added to the Special Collections. Four of the five Kelmscott Press books, which are held in Rare Books and Manuscripts, Special Collections, are believed to have come from this bequest.

Images:

1. Christine Macgregor bookplate. University of Adelaide. Rare Books and Manuscripts.

2. Christine Margaret Macgregor. University of Adelaide. Rare Books and Manuscripts, Barr Smith Family Papers, MSS 0170, Series 2.