Tributes have been paid to a Dumbarton-born professor of political science who taught for most of his life at a Canadian University.

Dr George Breckenridge, 81, was surrounded by close friends at St Joe’s Hospital in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, when he passed away on December 11 last year.

The eminent professor attended Dumbarton Academy, before graduating from the University of Glasgow with an MA in economics and political science.

A few years later, he moved across the Atlantic to study at the University of Saskatchewan, and then completed a PhD in political science and economic history at Duke University.

In 1967 he joined the department of political science at McMaster University in Hamilton, where he continued to teach students until last year.

Dr Breckenridge was widely acknowledged as an expert in both UK and American politics, and he wrote the book on the latter, 'United States Government and Politics'.

Local and national media in Canada regularly called him to discuss the domestic and international politics of both countries.

His latest endeavour was to become an active participant in the McMaster University’s “Socrates and the Centre for Continuing Education” seminars which are open to the public, and have been enthusiastically received.

Dr Breckenridge was also an elder at Erskine Presbyterian Church in Hamilton.

His colleague at McMaster University and good friend, Dr John Seaman, said: "His time at Duke coincided with the height of the Civil Rights Movement and this helped shape his understanding of American politics and strengthened his compassion for those who suffer.

"His political insights and his calm and careful counsel have been valued by successive generations of students and by his University colleagues.

"As much as he enjoyed his academic life, he also enjoyed an active life outside of it.

"He insisted that there were other crucial priorities in the manner in which a person should live and he took care to preserve his relationship with God, with his family, and his friends and his church.

"George loved interesting conversations, travel, opera, good books and movies and he was a fine example of a life well lived.

"He will be sorely missed by his brother John (Ian) Breckenridge, his two nieces Elaine Staunton and Gillian Breckenridge, his church family at Erskine Presbyterian Church, colleagues at McMaster University and his many friends."

His funeral was on January 12 at Erskine Presbyterian Church, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

A memorial scholarship fund has now been set up in his honour by his former students.

Further details can be found at McMaster University's website.