Green politician. Born in Thurso, Harper was educated in London and at Elgin Academy, before attending the University of Aberdeen. He graduated in 1962 and entered the teaching profession. He worked at schools in Aberdeen, Fife, Glasgow and Midlothian as well as in Kenya, before settling in Edinburgh, where he taught modern studies at Boroughmuir High School between 1972 and 1999.
Harper joined the Scottish Green Party in 1985 and rose to become its leader. He stood at various elections, but became the first British Green politician when he was elected to the Scottish Parliament in 1999. Spectacular electoral success followed in 2003, when Harper led his party to a total of seven parliamentary seats.
He served as Rector of the University of Edinburgh (2001-3) and the University of Aberdeen (2005 - 2008).
