George M. Thomson
Encyclopedia
George Malcolm Thomson was a New Zealand scientist
, educationalist, social work
er and politician.
, Thomson grew up in Scotland
, being educated at the Edinburgh High School and the University of Edinburgh
. At the age of 20, he emigrated to New Zealand, and, apart from a short period farming at Mabel Bush
, Southland
, spent the rest of his life in Dunedin
. He was said to "know his Dunedin like a book".
Thomson's scientific interests were wide, including fisheries, crustacean
s and the naturalisation of species. Thomson was one of the first scientists to recognise the potential for invasive species
to be introduced via ship's ballast
. Outside science, he founded many organisations, and was a member of the Parliament of New Zealand
for Dunedin North
from the for two parliamentary terms to 1914 and a member of the Legislative Council
from 7 May 1918 for two seven year terms until 6 May 1932.
Thomson died in Dunedin on 25 August 1933.
Scientist
A scientist in a broad sense is one engaging in a systematic activity to acquire knowledge. In a more restricted sense, a scientist is an individual who uses the scientific method. The person may be an expert in one or more areas of science. This article focuses on the more restricted use of the word...
, educationalist, social work
Social work
Social Work is a professional and academic discipline that seeks to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of an individual, group, or community by intervening through research, policy, community organizing, direct practice, and teaching on behalf of those afflicted with poverty or any real or...
er and politician.
Biography
Born on 2 October 1848 in CalcuttaKolkata
Kolkata , formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly River, it was the commercial capital of East India...
, Thomson grew up in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, being educated at the Edinburgh High School and 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...
. At the age of 20, he emigrated to New Zealand, and, apart from a short period farming at Mabel Bush
Mabel Bush
- Introduction :Mabel Bush is a small community in the Southland region of New Zealand's South Island. The community has an estimated population of 127 people. The main building in the area is the Mabel Bush Hall, which consists of the hall and tennis courts...
, Southland
Southland Region
Southland is New Zealand's southernmost region and is also a district within that region. It consists mainly of the southwestern portion of the South Island and Stewart Island / Rakiura...
, spent the rest of his life in Dunedin
Dunedin
Dunedin is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the principal city of the Otago Region. It is considered to be one of the four main urban centres of New Zealand for historic, cultural, and geographic reasons. Dunedin was the largest city by territorial land area until...
. He was said to "know his Dunedin like a book".
Thomson's scientific interests were wide, including fisheries, crustacean
Crustacean
Crustaceans form a very large group of arthropods, usually treated as a subphylum, which includes such familiar animals as crabs, lobsters, crayfish, shrimp, krill and barnacles. The 50,000 described species range in size from Stygotantulus stocki at , to the Japanese spider crab with a leg span...
s and the naturalisation of species. Thomson was one of the first scientists to recognise the potential for invasive species
Invasive species
"Invasive species", or invasive exotics, is a nomenclature term and categorization phrase used for flora and fauna, and for specific restoration-preservation processes in native habitats, with several definitions....
to be introduced via ship's ballast
Sailing ballast
Ballast is used in sailboats to provide moment to resist the lateral forces on the sail. Insufficiently ballasted boats will tend to tip, or heel, excessively in high winds. Too much heel may result in the boat capsizing. If a sailing vessel should need to voyage without cargo then ballast of...
. Outside science, he founded many organisations, and was a member of the Parliament of New Zealand
Parliament of New Zealand
The Parliament of New Zealand consists of the Queen of New Zealand and the New Zealand House of Representatives and, until 1951, the New Zealand Legislative Council. The House of Representatives is often referred to as "Parliament".The House of Representatives usually consists of 120 Members of...
for Dunedin North
Dunedin North (New Zealand electorate)
Dunedin North is a New Zealand parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. It was established for the 1905 election and has existed since....
from the for two parliamentary terms to 1914 and a member of the Legislative Council
New Zealand Legislative Council
The Legislative Council of New Zealand was the upper house of the New Zealand Parliament from 1853 until 1951. Unlike the lower house, the New Zealand House of Representatives, the Legislative Council was appointed.-Role:...
from 7 May 1918 for two seven year terms until 6 May 1932.
Thomson died in Dunedin on 25 August 1933.