Papers of John Monteath Robertson, 1900-1989, chemist, Professor of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, Scotland, 1942-1970
- Reference:GB 248 DC 178
- Dates of Creation:1925-1970
- Name of Creator:
- Language of Material:English
- Physical Description:2.0 metres
Scope and Content
- Correspondence 1947-1970
- Laboratory books (many undated) 1925-1948
- Published works 1926-1970
Administrative / Biographical History
John Monteath Robertson was born on 24 July 1900 , son of William Robertson and Jane Monteath. In 1930 he married Stella Kennard Nairn. They had two sons and one daughter.
John Monteath Robertson was educated at Perth Academy. He went on to study at the University of Glasgow , graduating BSc in 1923, MA in 1925, PhD in 1926 , and DSc in 1933 . In 1930 he became a member of staff in the Davy Faraday Laboratory of the Royal Institution. In 1939 he became a senior lecturer in Physical Chemistry at the University of Sheffield. In 1941 he became the Scientific Chemical Advisor to Bomber Command.
In the following year he was appointed the Gardiner Professor of Chemistry at the University of Glasgow, a post he held until 1970 . In the same year he was made the Honorary Scientific Advisor to the RAF In 1955 he became the Director of Laboratories at Glasgow. Robertson was the George Fisher Baker Lecturer at Cornell University, America in 1951. In 1958 he was the visiting professor at the University of California, Berkeley. Robertson was a member of the University Grants Committee 1960-1965. He was the Chairman of the Chemical Society 1962-1964 .
He was awarded the Davy Medal by the Royal Society in 1960, the Longstaff Medal by the Chemical Society in 1966, and the Paracelsus Medal by the Swiss Chemistry Society in 1971. In 1962 he was made CBE. Aberdeen University awarded him a Honorary LLD, and in 1970 the University of Strathclyde awarded him a Honorary DSc.
He was a Fellow of the Royal Society, of the Royal Institute of Chemistry, of the Institute of Physics, and of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. His publications include: Organic Crystals and Molecules , (1953); as well as various papers and articles in journals. John Monteath Robertson died in 1989 .
Source: Who's Who, (1981, London).
Arrangement
The arrangement of this material reflects the original order in which it was received
Access Information
Open
Acquisition Information
Gift: Chemistry Department, Glasgow University: 1987
Other Finding Aids
Digital file level list available in searchroom
Manual file level list available at the Noational Registers of Archives in Edinburgh (NRA(S) 3337) and London (NRA 35477 Robertson)
Alternative Form Available
No known copies
Physical Characteristics and/or Technical Requirements
None which affect the use of this material
Conditions Governing Use
Applications for permission to quote should be sent to the Archivist.
Reproduction subject to usual conditions: educational use and condition of documents.
Appraisal Information
This material has been appraised in line with standard GB 0248 procedures
Custodial History
Received directly from Glasgow University where Professor Robertson worked
Accruals
None expected
Related Material
No related material
Location of Originals
This material is original
Bibliography
No known publications using this material
Additional Information
Description compiled in line with the following international standards: International Council on Archives,ISAD(G) Second Edition, September 1999 and National Council on Archives,Rules for the construction of personal, place and corporate names
None
Compiled by Vikki Laidlaw, Hub Project Assistant, 14 October 2004
Subjects
Personal Names
Corporate Names
Geographical Names