Harry Melville (chemist) facts for kids

Sir Harry Work Melville (1908–2000) was a very important British chemist. He was also a professor and a leader in science and education. He was especially known for his work with polymers, which are large molecules like those found in plastics.

Sir Harry started his career teaching and doing research at universities. Later, he moved into leadership roles. He worked for the government and became the head of a university college.

He was a fellow at Trinity College, Cambridge, from 1933 to 1944. He was a Chemistry Professor at the University of Aberdeen (1945–1947). Then he became the Mason Professor of Chemistry at the University of Birmingham (1948–1956).

After his time as a professor, he took on big leadership jobs. He was the permanent secretary for the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (1956–1965). He also led the Science Research Council (1965–1967). Finally, he was the Principal of Queen Mary College (1967–1976).

Sir Harry was chosen as a fellow for both the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Royal Society. These are very respected groups for scientists. He received important awards like the Meldola Medal and the Davy Medal. He also gave special lectures, including the famous Royal Institution Christmas Lectures in 1955. He was made a knight in 1958, which is why he is called "Sir Harry."

Early Life and School

Harry Melville was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, on April 27, 1908. His parents were Thomas Melville and Esther Cumming Burnet Nicol. They lived in the south of Edinburgh.

He went to Preston Street School, which was a public primary school. Then he attended George Heriot's School, a private school in Edinburgh's Old Town. After that, he spent a year studying at Heriot-Watt College. This college focused on engineering and technical subjects.

University Studies

Harry won a special scholarship called a Carnegie Scholar. This allowed him to study chemistry at the University of Edinburgh. He did very well and graduated with top honors in 1930.

He then received another scholarship to continue his research. In 1933, he earned his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree. His research was about understanding how molecules change. In 1935, he earned an even higher degree, a Doctor of Science (DSc), also from Edinburgh.

Working as a Scientist

In 1933, Sir Harry became a fellow at Trinity College, Cambridge. He also worked at the Colloid Science Laboratory in Cambridge. There, he became an assistant director of research in 1938. During this time, he focused his studies on polymers.

World War II Work

In 1939, Sir Harry was supposed to become a Chemistry Professor at the University of Aberdeen. But World War II started before he could begin. Instead, he worked for the British government during the war.

From 1940 to 1943, he was a Scientific Adviser for the Ministry of Supply. He worked at Porton Down, a special research site. Then, from 1943 to 1945, he was in charge of the Radar Research Station at Malvern, Worcestershire.

Return to Universities

After the war ended in 1945, Sir Harry went back to the University of Aberdeen. He worked there for three years. His research during this time was about how gases and polymers react.

In 1948, he moved to the University of Birmingham. He became the Mason Professor of Chemistry there. He built a team of students and researchers who became experts in polymer chemistry.

Leading Science and Education

In 1956, Sir Harry took on a big leadership role. He became the Permanent Secretary of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. This government department was in charge of scientific research.

From 1965 to 1967, he led the Science Research Council. This was a new group that took over from his previous department. It managed government-funded scientific research. In 1967, he became the Principal of Queen Mary College. He retired from this role in 1976.

Sir Harry was also president of important scientific groups. He led the Faraday Society, which studied physical chemistry, from 1958 to 1960. He was also president of the Chemical Society from 1966 to 1968. In 1981, he helped start the World Cultural Council.

Later Years and Family

Even after retiring, Sir Harry stayed involved in science and education. He was the head of the council for Westfield College from 1977 to 1983. He also worked to prevent cuts to university funding.

Sir Harry Melville passed away on June 14, 2000, when he was 92 years old.

In 1942, Sir Harry married Janet Marion Cameron. They had two daughters. Janet outlived him.

Awards and Recognition

Sir Harry Melville received many honors for his work.

• In 1935, he won the Meldola Medal from the Institute of Chemistry.
• In 1955, the Royal Society gave him the Davy Medal. This was for his excellent work in physical chemistry and polymer reactions.
• He gave the famous Royal Institution Christmas Lectures in 1955, explaining "Big Molecules" to a young audience.
• In 1956, he received the Bakerian Medal from the Royal Society. He gave a lecture about how polymers are formed.

On March 1, 1937, Sir Harry was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (FRSE). He also won two prizes from this society. In 1941, at age 33, he became one of the youngest people ever elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS).

In 1958, he was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB). This honor meant he could use the title "Sir." It was given to him for his work as the secretary of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.

He also received honorary degrees from several universities. These included the University of Exeter (1959), Heriot-Watt University (1966), and the University of Essex (1975).

In 1990, a special laboratory was named after him at the University of Cambridge. It is called the Melville Laboratory for Polymer Synthesis.