Professor of Scottish History and Literature University of Oxford. In 1929, Rait was appointed Principal of the University. He remained in post as professor for a year, publishing a "History of the Union Bank of Scotland" in 1930, but resigned later that year, succeeded by John Duncan Mackie, previously Professor of Modern History at Bedford College (predecessor institution of Royal Holloway), who had initiated the teaching of Scottish History at the University of St Andrews on being appointed a lecturer there at only twenty-two years old. His publications whilst in the chair included "Andrew Lang and the House of Stuart" (1935) and "The Earlier Tudors 1485-1558"
Royal Naval House historical and scientific cultural values. The site and building are also of State heritage significance for their contribution to The Rocks area which is of State Heritage significance in its own right. Royal Naval House has associations with William Davis, who once owned the land. Commodore James Goodenough, , the Commander of the Royal Navy's Australian Station in the late 19th Century and John Shearston who were instrumental in establishing practical welfare for sailors when ashore. Shearston was the first superintendent of Royal Naval House and it was nicknamed "Johnnies" by sailors after him. Royal Naval House has social significance