Irvine Masson
Encyclopedia
Sir James Irvine Orme Masson (generally known as Irvine Masson; 3 September 1887 – 22 October 1962) was an Australian chemist
and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield
from 1938 to 1953.
Irvine Masson was born in Toorak
, Melbourne
, the son of Sir David Orme Masson
a professor of chemistry at Melbourne University. He went to Melbourne Grammar School
then Melbourne University, achieving a BSc with first class honours in chemistry
in 1908. He began medical studies, but reverted to chemistry and in 1910 took up a scholarship in the subject at University College London
. In 1912 he joined the academic staff and in 1913 married Flora Gulland (died 1960). They had a son, David Irvine Masson
, in 1915.
During the First World War he did explosives research at the Royal Arsenal
, Woolwich
, a practical experience very different from his previous academic work, but which had a major influence on his future research.
After further time at University College, in 1924 he was made professor of chemistry at the University of Durham, also taking on the role of head of the Department of Pure Science. During this time he was lucky to survive one of his experiments which destroyed much of the laboratory. This administrative role led to his appointment as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield in 1938. However he combined this with running research on explosives during the Second World War.
In 1939 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society for his chemical research. He was made MBE
and in 1950 knighted. Following his retirement from the University of Sheffield in 1952 he and his wife moved to Edinburgh
, where both died, she in 1960, he in 1962.
Chemist
A chemist is a scientist trained in the study of chemistry. Chemists study the composition of matter and its properties such as density and acidity. Chemists carefully describe the properties they study in terms of quantities, with detail on the level of molecules and their component atoms...
and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield
University of Sheffield
The University of Sheffield is a research university based in the city of Sheffield in South Yorkshire, England. It is one of the original 'red brick' universities and is a member of the Russell Group of leading research intensive universities...
from 1938 to 1953.
Irvine Masson was born in Toorak
Toorak, Victoria
Toorak is a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 5 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district located on a rise on the south side of a bend in the Yarra River. Its Local Government Area is the City of Stonnington...
, Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, the son of Sir David Orme Masson
David Orme Masson
Sir David Orme Masson KBE FRS was a scientist born in England who emigrated to Australia to become Professor of Chemistry at the University of Melbourne.-Early life:...
a professor of chemistry at Melbourne University. He went to Melbourne Grammar School
Melbourne Grammar School
Melbourne Grammar School is an independent, Anglican, day and boarding school predominantly for boys, located in South Yarra and Caulfield, suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia....
then Melbourne University, achieving a BSc with first class honours in chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
in 1908. He began medical studies, but reverted to chemistry and in 1910 took up a scholarship in the subject at University College London
University College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
. In 1912 he joined the academic staff and in 1913 married Flora Gulland (died 1960). They had a son, David Irvine Masson
David I. Masson
David Irvine Masson was a British science-fiction writer and librarian.-Biography:Born in Edinburgh, Masson came from a distinguished family of academics and thinkers. His father, Sir Irvine Masson, was a Professor of Chemistry at Durham and Vice-Chancellor at Sheffield, his grandfather, Sir David O...
, in 1915.
During the First World War he did explosives research at the Royal Arsenal
Royal Arsenal
The Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, originally known as the Woolwich Warren, carried out armaments manufacture, ammunition proofing and explosives research for the British armed forces. It was sited on the south bank of the River Thames in Woolwich in south-east London, England.-Early history:The Warren...
, Woolwich
Woolwich
Woolwich is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.Woolwich formed part of Kent until 1889 when the County of London was created...
, a practical experience very different from his previous academic work, but which had a major influence on his future research.
After further time at University College, in 1924 he was made professor of chemistry at the University of Durham, also taking on the role of head of the Department of Pure Science. During this time he was lucky to survive one of his experiments which destroyed much of the laboratory. This administrative role led to his appointment as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield in 1938. However he combined this with running research on explosives during the Second World War.
In 1939 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society for his chemical research. He was made MBE
MBE
MBE can stand for:* Mail Boxes Etc.* Management by exception* Master of Bioethics* Master of Bioscience Enterprise* Master of Business Engineering* Master of Business Economics* Mean Biased Error...
and in 1950 knighted. Following his retirement from the University of Sheffield in 1952 he and his wife moved to Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, where both died, she in 1960, he in 1962.