Magnus Maclean (1857–1937) was a prominent Scottish electrical engineer and academic who played a significant role in the advancement of his field during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Early in his career, Maclean worked closely with the renowned physicist Lord Kelvin, assisting him in various electrical experiments. He later transitioned into a distinguished academic career, becoming one of the first individuals to hold the title of Professor of Electrical Engineering in Glasgow. His contributions to the discipline are commemorated through the Magnus Maclean Memorial Prize, awarded to students of electrical engineering.
In addition to his scientific achievements, Maclean was a passionate advocate for Scottish heritage and a native speaker of Scottish Gaelic. He bridged the gap between the sciences and the humanities by lecturing in Celtic Studies at the University of Glasgow. Between 1901 and 1903, he delivered the MacCallum lectures in English, which marked the first official lectures in Celtic studies in the university's history. Through these lectures and his academic presence, Maclean helped formalize the study of Celtic language and culture within Scottish higher education.
