David Orme Masson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
David Orme Masson
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Masson c. 1930
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| Born | 13 January 1858 Hampstead, UK
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| Died | 10 August 1937 (aged 79) South Yarra, Victoria, Australia
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| Alma mater | University of Edinburgh |
| Known for | Work on nitroglycerin |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Chemistry |
| Institutions | University of Melbourne |
Sir David Orme Masson was an important scientist born in England. He moved to Australia to become a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Melbourne. He is especially known for his work with a powerful explosive called nitroglycerin.
Early Life and Education
David Orme Masson was born on January 13, 1858, in Hampstead, which is a town near London, England. His father, David Mather Masson, was a professor of English Literature.
David went to school in Edinburgh, Scotland, and later studied at the University of Edinburgh. He was very interested in chemistry and studied it there. In 1877, he earned his Master of Arts degree. He continued his chemistry studies, even traveling to Germany to learn more.
He also worked with another famous scientist, William Ramsay, researching a chemical element called phosphorus. David Masson earned his D.Sc. degree in 1884. During this time, he did important research on how to make and understand nitroglycerin, which is a powerful explosive.
In 1885, he was chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, which is a special group for scientists. The next year, in 1886, he married Mary Struthers.
Career in Australia
In October 1886, David Masson and his wife moved to Australia. He took on a new job as the Professor of Chemistry at the University of Melbourne. When he first arrived, the chemistry labs were not very good. One of his first jobs was to design new, better labs and lecture halls for the students.
More and more students became interested in chemistry, and the university grew. Professor Masson spent many years teaching, but he always found time to continue his own scientific research.
During World War I, Professor Masson played a big role in helping Australia. In 1912, he became the President of the Professorial Board at the university. He also helped the Australian Prime Minister, W. M. Hughes, to set up a national science organization. This organization later became the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), which is still very important for science in Australia today.
Professor Masson also helped organize Douglas Mawson's trip to the Antarctic in 1911–1914. He was also the President of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science from 1911 to 1913. In 1913, he was offered a professorship back in London, but he chose to stay in Australia.
In 1903, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in London, which is a very high honor for scientists. He was also recognized for his contributions by being made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1918, and then a Knight Commander (KBE) in 1922. This meant he could use the title "Sir."
He also helped start important chemistry groups in Australia, like the Melbourne University Chemical Society and the Australian Chemical Institute.
Later Life and Legacy
At the end of 1923, Sir David Masson retired from his teaching position at the University of Melbourne. He became a professor emeritus, which means he kept his title and connection to the university even after retiring. He continued to be very interested in chemistry and served on several important science committees.
Sir David Masson passed away on August 10, 1937, in South Yarra, Victoria, Australia.
He left behind his wife, a daughter, and a son. His son, James Irvine Orme Masson, also became a distinguished scientist and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. Sir David Masson also wrote a book called Three Centuries of Chemistry in 1925. His daughters also became writers.
Many of his students went on to become important chemists themselves, including David Rivett and Ernst Hartung, who both later held his old professorship.
