David Orme Masson
Encyclopedia
Sir David Orme Masson KBE
FRS (13 January 1858 – 10 August 1937) was a scientist born in England
who emigrated to Australia
to become Professor
of Chemistry
at the University of Melbourne
.
(near London
), the only son and second child of David Mather Masson
, Professor of English Literature
at University College, London and his wife, Emily Rosaline née Orme. D. M. Masson became Professor of Rhetoric and English Literature at the University of Edinburgh
in 1865; D. O. Masson was educated at Oliphant's School in Edinburgh (1865–68), the Edinburgh Academy
and then at the University of Edinburgh, where he graduated Master of Arts|M.A.]] 1877. and studied studied chemistry under Crum Brown (B.Sc.
1880). Masson studied under Friedrich Wöhler
at Göttingen
in 1879 before obtaining a position with (Sir) William Ramsay
at Bristol
, with whom he did research work on phosphorus
. Masson returned to Edinburgh University in 1881 with a Research Scholarship
for three years, towards the end of which he obtained his D.Sc. degree (1884). Masson was involved in the founding of the Student Representative Council and the Student Union
. His research during this period included investigations in the preparation and properties of Nitroglycerine (glyceryl trinitrate). On 5 August 1886 Masson married Mary Struthers (daughter of (Sir) John Struthers
) in Aberdeen
.
. His inaugural lecture was given on 23 March 1887, titled "The Scope and Aim of Chemical Science". Though there were few students in chemistry, the laboratory equipment was inadequate even for them, and one of his first tasks was the preparation of plans for a new laboratory and lecture theatre. There was a steady growth of students and, as the staff was small, Masson was much occupied with teaching work for many years. He contrived, however, to find some time for research, and during his first 20 years at the university contributed several papers to leading scientific journals.
In 1912 Masson became President of the Professorial Board, undertaking a lot of the work that would be done today by a paid Vice-Chancellor. He also did important scientific work in connection with World War I
. In 1915 he was asked by the Prime Minister of Australia
W. M. Hughes
to act as Chairman of a Committee to draw up a scheme for a Commonwealth
Institute of Science and Industry, but difficulties arose and it was not until 1920 that the Institute was established. In 1926 it became the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research
, of which Masson was a member until his death. Other activities included his participation in the organization of Douglas Mawson
's expedition to the Antarctic
in 1911-14, and his interest in the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science
, of which he was President 1911-13. He was Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the British Association
meeting in Australia in 1914. When Sir William Ramsay
, retired from his professorship at University College, London, in 1913, Masson was offered the position, but he had developed so many interests in Australia that he decided to refuse the appointment. Among Societies in which he was interested were the Melbourne University Chemical Society, the Society of Chemical Industry of Victoria, both of which he founded, and the Australian Chemical Institute
of which he was the first President (1917–20). He was associated with Sir Edgeworth David
in the founding of the Australian National Research Council
, and was its president in 1922–6.
, London, in 1903 and was created CBE
in 1918 and KBE in 1922. Masson died of cancer in South Yarra
, Melbourne
, on 10 August 1937. Masson was survived by his wife, son and a daughter. Lady Masson did valuable work during World War I, and was created CBE in 1918. The son, James Irvine Orme Masson
, born at Melbourne in 1887, had a distinguished academic career, becoming Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield
in 1938, and elected a Fellow of the Royal Society
in 1939. Masson published Three Centuries of Chemistry in 1925. A daughter, Flora Marjorie
(later Mrs W. E. Bassett), published in 1940, The Governor's Lady, and another daughter, Elsie Rosaline (d. 1935), who married the distinguished anthropologist, Bronislaw Malinowski
, was also a writer; she published An Untamed Territory in 1915.
Among his students were Sir David Rivett
who succeeded him in his chair, and Ernst Hartung who followed Rivett. Bertram Dillon Steele was also one of his students.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
FRS (13 January 1858 – 10 August 1937) was a scientist born in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
who emigrated to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
to become Professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
of 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....
at the University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
.
Early life
Masson was born in HampsteadHampstead
Hampstead is an area of London, England, north-west of Charing Cross. Part of the London Borough of Camden in Inner London, it is known for its intellectual, liberal, artistic, musical and literary associations and for Hampstead Heath, a large, hilly expanse of parkland...
(near London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
), the only son and second child of David Mather Masson
David Masson
David Masson , was a Scottish writer.He was born in Aberdeen, and educated at Aberdeen Grammar School and at Marischal College, University of Aberdeen. Intending to enter the Church, he proceeded to Edinburgh University, where he studied theology under Dr Thomas Chalmers, with whom he remained...
, Professor of English Literature
English literature
English literature is the literature written in the English language, including literature composed in English by writers not necessarily from England; for example, Robert Burns was Scottish, James Joyce was Irish, Joseph Conrad was Polish, Dylan Thomas was Welsh, Edgar Allan Poe was American, J....
at University College, London and his wife, Emily Rosaline née Orme. D. M. Masson became Professor of Rhetoric and English Literature at the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
in 1865; D. O. Masson was educated at Oliphant's School in Edinburgh (1865–68), the Edinburgh Academy
Edinburgh Academy
The Edinburgh Academy is an independent school which was opened in 1824. The original building, in Henderson Row on the northern fringe of the New Town of Edinburgh, Scotland, is now part of the Senior School...
and then at the University of Edinburgh, where he graduated Master of Arts|M.A.]] 1877. and studied studied chemistry under Crum Brown (B.Sc.
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
1880). Masson studied under Friedrich Wöhler
Friedrich Wöhler
Friedrich Wöhler was a German chemist, best known for his synthesis of urea, but also the first to isolate several chemical elements.-Biography:He was born in Eschersheim, which belonged to aau...
at Göttingen
Göttingen
Göttingen is a university town in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is the capital of the district of Göttingen. The Leine river runs through the town. In 2006 the population was 129,686.-General information:...
in 1879 before obtaining a position with (Sir) William Ramsay
William Ramsay
Sir William Ramsay was a Scottish chemist who discovered the noble gases and received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1904 "in recognition of his services in the discovery of the inert gaseous elements in air" .-Early years:Ramsay was born in Glasgow on 2...
at Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
, with whom he did research work on phosphorus
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is the chemical element that has the symbol P and atomic number 15. A multivalent nonmetal of the nitrogen group, phosphorus as a mineral is almost always present in its maximally oxidized state, as inorganic phosphate rocks...
. Masson returned to Edinburgh University in 1881 with a Research Scholarship
Scholarship
A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further education. Scholarships are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award.-Types:...
for three years, towards the end of which he obtained his D.Sc. degree (1884). Masson was involved in the founding of the Student Representative Council and the Student Union
Student union
Student union may refer to:* Students' union, or student government in the U.S., a student organization at many colleges and universities dedicated to student governance...
. His research during this period included investigations in the preparation and properties of Nitroglycerine (glyceryl trinitrate). On 5 August 1886 Masson married Mary Struthers (daughter of (Sir) John Struthers
John Struthers (anatomist)
Sir John Struthers, LRCSE, MD, LLD, FRCSE, FRSE was Professor of Anatomy at the University of Aberdeen....
) in Aberdeen
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
.
Career in Australia
In October 1886 Masson arrived in Australia to take up the position as Professor of Chemistry at the University of MelbourneUniversity of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
. His inaugural lecture was given on 23 March 1887, titled "The Scope and Aim of Chemical Science". Though there were few students in chemistry, the laboratory equipment was inadequate even for them, and one of his first tasks was the preparation of plans for a new laboratory and lecture theatre. There was a steady growth of students and, as the staff was small, Masson was much occupied with teaching work for many years. He contrived, however, to find some time for research, and during his first 20 years at the university contributed several papers to leading scientific journals.
In 1912 Masson became President of the Professorial Board, undertaking a lot of the work that would be done today by a paid Vice-Chancellor. He also did important scientific work in connection with World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. In 1915 he was asked by the Prime Minister of Australia
Prime Minister of Australia
The Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia is the highest minister of the Crown, leader of the Cabinet and Head of Her Majesty's Australian Government, holding office on commission from the Governor-General of Australia. The office of Prime Minister is, in practice, the most powerful...
W. M. Hughes
Billy Hughes
William Morris "Billy" Hughes, CH, KC, MHR , Australian politician, was the seventh Prime Minister of Australia from 1915 to 1923....
to act as Chairman of a Committee to draw up a scheme for a Commonwealth
Commonwealth
Commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. Historically, it has sometimes been synonymous with "republic."More recently it has been used for fraternal associations of some sovereign nations...
Institute of Science and Industry, but difficulties arose and it was not until 1920 that the Institute was established. In 1926 it became the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation is the national government body for scientific research in Australia...
, of which Masson was a member until his death. Other activities included his participation in the organization of Douglas Mawson
Douglas Mawson
Sir Douglas Mawson, OBE, FRS, FAA was an Australian geologist, Antarctic explorer and Academic. Along with Roald Amundsen, Robert Falcon Scott, and Ernest Shackleton, Mawson was a key expedition leader during the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration.-Early work:He was appointed geologist to an...
's expedition to the Antarctic
Antarctic
The Antarctic is the region around the Earth's South Pole, opposite the Arctic region around the North Pole. The Antarctic comprises the continent of Antarctica and the ice shelves, waters and island territories in the Southern Ocean situated south of the Antarctic Convergence...
in 1911-14, and his interest in the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science
Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science
The Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science is an organisation that was founded in 1888 by Archibald Liversidge as the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science to promote science. It was modelled on the British Association for the Advancement of Science...
, of which he was President 1911-13. He was Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the British Association
British Association for the Advancement of Science
frame|right|"The BA" logoThe British Association for the Advancement of Science or the British Science Association, formerly known as the BA, is a learned society with the object of promoting science, directing general attention to scientific matters, and facilitating interaction between...
meeting in Australia in 1914. When Sir William Ramsay
William Ramsay
Sir William Ramsay was a Scottish chemist who discovered the noble gases and received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1904 "in recognition of his services in the discovery of the inert gaseous elements in air" .-Early years:Ramsay was born in Glasgow on 2...
, retired from his professorship at University College, London, in 1913, Masson was offered the position, but he had developed so many interests in Australia that he decided to refuse the appointment. Among Societies in which he was interested were the Melbourne University Chemical Society, the Society of Chemical Industry of Victoria, both of which he founded, and the Australian Chemical Institute
Royal Australian Chemical Institute
The Royal Australian Chemical Institute Inc. is both the qualifying body in Australia for professional chemists and a learned society promoting the science and practice of chemistry in all its branches. The RACI hosts conferences, seminars and workshops...
of which he was the first President (1917–20). He was associated with Sir Edgeworth David
Edgeworth David
Sir Tannatt William Edgeworth David KBE, DSO, FRS, was a Welsh Australian geologist and Antarctic explorer. A household name in his lifetime, David's most significant achievements were discovering the major Hunter Valley coalfield in New South Wales and leading the first expedition to reach the...
in the founding of the Australian National Research Council
Australian Research Council
The Australian Research Council is the Australian Government’s main agency for allocating research funding to academics and researchers in Australian universities. Its mission is to advance Australia’s capacity to undertake research that brings economic, social and cultural benefit to the...
, and was its president in 1922–6.
Late life
At the end of 1923 Masson retired from his chair at Melbourne and became Professor Emeritus. After his resignation he continued his interest in the progress of chemical science, and sat on several councils and committees. Masson was elected a Fellow of the Royal SocietyRoyal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
, London, in 1903 and was created CBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
in 1918 and KBE in 1922. Masson died of cancer in South Yarra
South Yarra, Victoria
South Yarra is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 4 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area are the Cities of Stonnington and Melbourne...
, 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...
, on 10 August 1937. Masson was survived by his wife, son and a daughter. Lady Masson did valuable work during World War I, and was created CBE in 1918. The son, James Irvine Orme Masson
Irvine Masson
Sir James Irvine Orme Masson was an Australian chemist and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield from 1938 to 1953....
, born at Melbourne in 1887, had a distinguished academic career, becoming 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...
in 1938, and elected a Fellow of the Royal Society
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
in 1939. Masson published Three Centuries of Chemistry in 1925. A daughter, Flora Marjorie
Marnie Bassett
Flora Marjorie Bassett was an Australian historian and biographer.-Life:Bassett was born in Melbourne to academic parents, Sir David Orme Masson, a professor of chemistry, and his wife Mary, née Struthers. She grew up in and around the University of Melbourne...
(later Mrs W. E. Bassett), published in 1940, The Governor's Lady, and another daughter, Elsie Rosaline (d. 1935), who married the distinguished anthropologist, Bronislaw Malinowski
Bronislaw Malinowski
Bronisław Kasper Malinowski was a Polish-born- British-naturalized anthropologist, one of the most important 20th-century anthropologists.From 1910, Malinowski studied exchange and economics at the London School of Economics under Seligman and Westermarck, analysing patterns of exchange in...
, was also a writer; she published An Untamed Territory in 1915.
Among his students were Sir David Rivett
David Rivett
Sir David Rivett, KCMG was an Australian chemist and science administrator.Rivett was born at Port Esperance, Tasmania, Australia. He studied at Wesley College in Melbourne and the University of Melbourne, where he was a member of Queen's College, obtaining a BSc in 1906 and a DSc in 1913...
who succeeded him in his chair, and Ernst Hartung who followed Rivett. Bertram Dillon Steele was also one of his students.