The word rector ("ruler," from the Latin regere) has a number of different meanings.

Academic rectors

The Rector is the highest academic official of a university in many countries. At some universities they have the title of rector magnificus. A university is an institution of higher education and of research, which grants academic degrees. ...

In Scotland, the position of Rector exists in the four "ancient" universities, St Andrews, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Edinburgh as well as Dundee. The post (technically they are the Lord Rector, but usually are just referred to as Rector) was enshrined as being integral part of each of these universities by the Universities (Scotland) Act 1889. It is a post elected at regular intervals by the students of the individual universities, the holder of which is entitled to chair meetings of the University Court, the university's governing body. The Rector is something of a figurehead (and to a certain extent, a 'mascot'). Actual operation of the university is in the hands of its Principal (or Vice-Chancellor). In recent years Rectors have often been elected from the world of celebrity (Peter Ustinov at Dundee, and John Cleese and Frank Muir at St Andrews, for example), but nonetheless their position is of some importance to the running of each university. The head teacher of a Scottish school may also be a rector. Scotland (Alba in Scottish Gaelic) is a country or nation and former independent kingdom of northwest Europe, and one of the four constituent parts of the United Kingdom. ... University of St Andrews The University of St Andrews was founded between 1410-1413 and is the oldest university in Scotland and the third oldest in the United Kingdom. ... The University of Glasgow is the largest of the three universities in Glasgow, Scotland. ... University of Aberdeen Motto: Initium sapientiae timor domini (The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom) Logo © University of Aberdeen The University of Aberdeen is a university in Aberdeen, Scotland, founded by William Elphinstone, Bishop of Aberdeen in 1495 as Kings College. ... The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a renowned centre for teaching and research in Edinburgh, Scotland. ... The University of Dundee has its roots in the earlier University-College and the University of Saint Andrews. ... Sir Peter Alexander Ustinov (born Peter Alexander von Ustinow) (April 16, 1921 - March 29, 2004) was a British-born and raised actor, writer, dramatist and raconteur. ... John Cleese As Q in Die Another Day. ... Frank Muir (5 February 1920-2 January 1998) was an English comedy writer, radio and television personality. ... In the UK and elsewhere, a head teacher is the most senior teacher in a school. ... A school is most commonly a place designated for learning. ...

See also:

• Lord Rector of Glasgow University
• Lord Rector of Edinburgh University
• Lord Rector of Aberdeen University
• Lord Rector of Dundee University
• Lord Rector of St Andrews University

The position of Lord Rector of Glasgow University is elected every three years by the students at the University of Glasgow. ... The position of Lord Rector of Edinburgh University is elected every three years by the students at the University of Edinburgh. ... The position of Lord Rector of St Andrews University is elected every three years by the students at the University of St Andrews. ...

Ecclesiastical rectors

In the Anglican church, a rector is one type of parish priest, sometimes referred to as a parson. For historical reasons, some parish priests in the Church of England are called by this term while others are called vicars: a rector directly received the tithes of his parish, while a vicar did not, being paid instead a salary (sometimes by his diocese). In the Church of Ireland, most parish priests are called rectors, not vicars. Outside the British Isles the term is used more loosely. In the Episcopal Church in the United States of America, a rector is generally the priest in charge of a self-sustaining parish. A mission, which is a congregation supported by the diocese, is headed by a vicar. The term Anglican describes those people and churches following the religious traditions of the Church of England, especially following the Reformation. ... A parish is a subdivision of a diocese or bishopric within the Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion, the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Church of Sweden, and of some other churches. ... Roman Catholic priest A priest or priestess is a holy man or woman who takes an officiating role in worship of any religion, with the distinguishing characteristic of offering sacrifices. ... The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and acts as the mother and senior branch of the worldwide Anglican Communion as well as a founding member of the Porvoo Communion. ... In the broadest sense, a vicar is anyone who is acting as a substitute or agent for a superior (compare vicarious). In this sense, the title is comparable to lieutenant. ... In some Christian churches, the diocese is an administrative territorial unit governed by a bishop, sometimes also referred to as a bishopric or episcopal see, though more often the term episcopal see means the office held by the bishop. ... The Church of Ireland which is part of the Anglican Communion, is the largest Protestant church on the island of Ireland, claims to be the most ancient Christian church within all Ireland, and is the second largest Protestant denomination in Northern Ireland. ... The Episcopal Church or the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America is the American Church of the Anglican Communion. ...

In the Roman Catholic Church, a rector is a priest appointed by the diocesan bishop to take charge of a church not belonging to a parish. This is often the cathedral of the diocese, which, in the Anglican Communion, would be headed by a dean. A rector could also be in charge of the main church of a Catholic university or the church of a seminary. Rectors of those institutuions have special obligations under canon law. The Roman Catholic Church is the largest religious denomination of Christianity with over one billion members. ... A bishop is an ordained member of the Christian clergy who holds a specific position of authority in any of a number of Christian churches. ... A church building is a building used in Christian worship. ... A parish is a subdivision of a diocese or bishopric within the Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion, the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Church of Sweden, and of some other churches. ... A cathedral is a Christian church building, specifically of a denomination with an episcopal hierarchy (such as the Roman Catholic Church or the Anglican churches), which serves as the central church of a bishopric. ... In some Christian churches, the diocese is an administrative territorial unit governed by a bishop, sometimes also referred to as a bishopric or episcopal see, though more often the term episcopal see means the office held by the bishop. ... Dean is a title given to some institutions senior or supervisory staff. ... A university is an institution of higher education and of research, which grants academic degrees. ... A seminary is a specialised university-like institution for the purpose of training candidates for positions within a religious context. ... In Western culture, canon law is the law of the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches. ...