Professor [Joseph Edward] Coates, Department of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, to Sir Robert Robertson. Asks if he would comply with the request of Dr Aquila Forster to act as referee in an application for a post as senior lecturer in organic che...

• Reference:GB 254 MS 50/17/44/2
• Dates of Creation:8 August 1920
• Name of Creator:
  Sir Robert Robertson

• Scope and Content

  Professor [Joseph Edward] Coates, Department of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, to Sir Robert Robertson. Asks if he would comply with the request of Dr Aquila Forster to act as referee in an application for a post as senior lecturer in organic chemistry at the University College of Swansea. With draft reply from Sir Robert written on the back of the letter.

• Administrative / Biographical History

  Sir Robert Robertson, explosives expert and government Chemist, was educated at Bell-Baxter School, Cupar and St. Andrews University, where he graduated in both Arts and Science. His first appointment was that of assistant in the laboratory of the city analyst in Glasgow obtaining the post of analyst in the Royal Gunpowder Factory at Waltham Abbey. His work as Director of Explosives Research during the 1914-1918 War was recognised by the award of the KBE and in 1917 his election to the Fellowship of the Royal Society. In 1921 he was appointed Chief Government Chemist, a post from which he retired in 1936. He spent his retirement in Laboratory work on the structure of the diamond until he was called to war work during the Second World War. Sir Robert Robertson received many honours during his lifetime, including one for extreme bravery whilst with the Royal Gunpowder factory, and he was awarded an LLD from St. Andrews University in 1923.

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• Note

  Sir Robert Robertson, explosives expert and government Chemist, was educated at Bell-Baxter School, Cupar and St. Andrews University, where he graduated in both Arts and Science. His first appointment was that of assistant in the laboratory of the city analyst in Glasgow obtaining the post of analyst in the Royal Gunpowder Factory at Waltham Abbey. His work as Director of Explosives Research during the 1914-1918 War was recognised by the award of the KBE and in 1917 his election to the Fellowship of the Royal Society. In 1921 he was appointed Chief Government Chemist, a post from which he retired in 1936. He spent his retirement in Laboratory work on the structure of the diamond until he was called to war work during the Second World War. Sir Robert Robertson received many honours during his lifetime, including one for extreme bravery whilst with the Royal Gunpowder factory, and he was awarded an LLD from St. Andrews University in 1923.

• Physical Characteristics and/or Technical Requirements

  Paper

• Archivist's Note

  Description compiled by Jennifer Johnstone, Assistant Archivist, September 2010

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• Additional Information

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