William Dickson (chemist)
William Dickson | |
|---|---|
| Born | 23 January 1905 St Abbs,Scotland |
| Died | 21 October 1992(aged 87) |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Occupation(s) | Chemist and educator |
William DicksonTDMBEFRSEFRSC(23 January 1905 – 21 October 1992) was a Scottish chemist and educator. He was the only British schoolteacher to be elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry.
He was proud of his fishing heritage. A keen fisherman he held the claim to fame for catching one of Scotland’s largest everhalibut77 pounds (35 kg).[1]He believed that education, and teaching, should be enjoyable. His nickname amongst pupils wasCappy Dick.
Life[edit]
He was born on 23 January 1905 inSt Abbson the south-east Scottish coast, the son of a lobster-fisherman. He was educated in St Abbs then strongly encouraged to continue his education atBerwickshire High Schooldue to his clear talent. He then undertook teacher training at the newly createdMoray House School of EducationinEdinburgh.From there he won a place to study chemistry at theUniversity of Edinburgh,graduating with a first class degree.
In 1931 he received a post of Science Master atAnnan Academyon the south-west coast of Scotland. From 1936 he taught atGeorge Watson’s CollegeinEdinburgh.He also was Commanding Officer of the school’sCombined Cadet Forcefrom this date and throughout theSecond World War.In 1947 his shooting team won a bronze medal at Bisley. From 1948 he became Head of Chemistry at the school and from 1958 Head of Science.[1]
He was elected a Fellow of theRoyal Society of Edinburghin later life, in March 1963. His proposers wereMowbray Ritchie,James Kendall,Neil Campbell,andSir Edmund Hirst.[2]
In teaching, he was credited from rescuing bothHuntly Lorimer(now a Fellow of the Royal Society) andLord Robert Hunterfrom academic obscurity and steering them towards an interest in science. In this he exemplifies the role of a true teacher. He was the first schoolteacher to be made a Fellow of theRoyal Society of Chemistry.[1]
Always connected to the sea, he died inLowestofton the English coast on 21 October 1992.
Family[edit]
He was married to Mary (Zoe) Royds. They had a daughter, Marjory, and two sons, Robert Royds and William.
References[edit]
- ^abcProceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh: Obituary: Dec 1992)
- ^Biographical Index of Former Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh 1783–2002(PDF).The Royal Society of Edinburgh. July 2006.ISBN0 902 198 84 X.