MacALISTER, James, educator, born in Glasgow, Scotland, 26 April, 1840. After studying at Glasgow university, he came to this country and entered Brown, but was not graduated. He then studied law at Albany law-school, where he received his degree in 1864. In 1873 he was superintendent of public schools in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and in 1878 he became regent of normal schools in Wisconsin, holding these offices until 1883. He was then appointed first superintendent of public schools in Philadelphia, which post he now (1887) holds. In 1885 he was elected a member of the board of trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, and in 1886 a member of the American philosophical society. He advocates educational reforms, especially the kindergarten and the introduction of industrial or manual training into the public schools. He has published educational and literary addresses, reports, and "Manual of Primary Instruction" (Philadelphia, 1884)" "Manual of Instruction in United States History and Civil Government" (1887)" and "Catalogue of Pedagogical Library, with Bibliographical Notes" (1887).