George Murray Burnett FRSE FRSA FRIC LLD (1921–1980) was a Scottish mathematician and chemist. He served as both Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University from 1974 until 1980. He is largely remembered for his work on polymer reactions.
George Murray Burnett | |
|---|---|
| Principal of Heriot-Watt University | |
| In office 1974–1980 | |
| Preceded by | Robert Allan Smith |
| Succeeded by | Thomas L. Johnston |
Life
editHe was born in Messina in South Africa on 12 July 1921.
His family moved to London in his childhood and he was educated at Mile-End School before again relocating to Aberdeen in Scotland. Here he attended Robert Gordon's College before being accepted by Aberdeen University studying chemistry and mathematics. He graduated in 1943.[1] On graduation he immediately moved to a teaching role within the university. In 1943/4 being an Assistant Lecturer in Natural Philosophy and 1944/5 a lecturer in chemistry. In 1945 he moved to Birmingham University serving as a lecturer in chemistry there for ten years. In 1955 he received a chair in Aberdeen University and was a professor there until 1974. He then received a post as Principal of Heriot-Watt University. He served as this until his death aged only 59.
Over and above his role as Principal he served as Vice Chancellor under Chancellor Lord Thomson of Monifieth.[2] On his death he was replaced by Prof Thomas Diery Patten.[3]
In 1956 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
He held three separate doctorates. Aberdeen University awarded him a PhD in 1947. Birmingham University awarded him a DSc in 1954. Strathclyde University awarded him an honorary Doctor of Letters (LLD) in 1979.
Burnett married Nan Bow in 1946. He died in Edinburgh on 4 September 1980.
Publications
edit- ’’Mechanism of Polymer Reactions’’ (1954)
- ’’Energy v. 2’’ (1969)
- ’’Transfer and Storage of Energy by Molecules’’ (1969)
Recognition
editBurnett was painted by Peter Collins in 1982. The painting is held by Heriot-Watt University.[4]
A building on the Heriot-Watt campus is named George Burnett Hall in his honour.[5]
References
edit- ^ "Former Fellows of The Royal Society of Edinburgh - 1783 – 2002" (PDF). The Royal Society of Edinburgh. July 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
- ^ "The Glasgow Herald - Google News Archive Search". Retrieved 26 January 2017.
- ^ "Thomas Diery Patten" (PDF). rse.org.uk. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
- ^ "George Murray Burnett (1921–1980) - Art UK Art UK - Discover Artworks George Murray Burnett (1921–1980)". Art UK. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
- ^ "George Burnett Hall". Heriot Watt University. Retrieved 25 January 2017.