James Irvine (chemist)

Sir James Irvine
Born	9 May 1877 Glasgow
Died
Resting place	St Andrews
Nationality	Scottish
Fields	Organic chemistry
Institutions	University of St Andrews
Notable awards	Davy Medal (1925) Willard Gibbs Award (1926) Elliott Cresson Medal (1929)

The grave of James Colquhoun Irvine, East Cemetery, St Andrews

Sir James Colquhoun Irvine KBE FRS FRSE FEIS (9 May 1877 – 12 June 1952) was a Scottish organic chemist and Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of St Andrews from 1921 until his death. As a research chemist, Irvine worked on the application of methylation techniques to carbohydrates, and isolated the first methylated sugars, trimethyl and tetramethyl glucose.

Life

Irvine was born in Glasgow to factory-owner John Irvine (a manufacturer of light-castings) and Mary Paton Colquhoun. He was educated at Allan Glen's School.

He then studied at the Royal Technical College, Glasgow, before taking a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at the University of St Andrews. From there, he went to the University of Leipzig, where he studied for a Ph.D. under Ostwald and Wislicenus. Returning to St Andrews, he was awarded a Doctor of Science degree, and taught Chemistry there. He was appointed Professor of Chemistry in 1909 and Dean of Science in 1912. In 1921, he was appointed Principal. His tenure saw the renovation and restoration of both buildings and traditions, and his works are still talked of today. His commitments spanned further than the University, into higher education in Britain and the colonies. He also served as acting Principal of University College Dundee.

He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1917 and a Fellow of The Royal Society of London in 1918. He served as Vice President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh from 1922 to 1925. He won the society's Gunning Victoria Jubilee Prize for 1936-1940.

He received honorary doctorates from the Universities of Aberdeen, Cambridge, Columbia, Durham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, McGill, Oxford, Princeton, Toronto, Wales and Yale.

He died at home in St Andrews on 12 June 1952 and was buried in the eastern cemetery close to the main lower entrance gate.

Family

Irvine married Mabel Violet Williams in 1905.

References

Academic offices
Preceded by Sir John Herkless	Principal of University of St Andrews 1921 – 1952	Succeeded by Sir Thomas Malcolm Knox
Preceded by John Yule Mackay	Principal of University College Dundee 1930 – 1939	Succeeded by Angus Robertson Fulton (interim)