Dr John Stirton Davidson
House and Years at Fettes:
M 1946-47
Qualifications and career:
B.Sc.,Ph.D.(Glasgow), C. Chem., F.R.S.C., Cert. Ed.(London)
Part-time demonstrator in physical chemistry at the University of Glasgow from 1955-1957 while I was doing post graduate research for my Ph.D
Research chemist at Boots Pure Drug Company 1959-64
Lecturer at Barking Regional College of Technology 1965-70
Lecturer, then Senior Lecturer, at the North East London Polytechnic 1970-88
Author of several papers on photochemistry, heterocyclic and sulphur chemistry, and the history of chemistry.
What is your most cherished memory from your time at Fettes?
Classes on current affairs by Mr Crichton-Miller and classes on applied mathematics by Mr Stoker and by Rev. Floyd.
And your least?
Mr H. F. Macdonald, an expert in classics, who appeared to regard mathematics and science as a threat to culture rather than a part of it.
I had a poor grasp of Latin and no Greek and he told me that I would never get to University.
Outside the classroom, how did you spend your free time at Fettes?
Reading science books and, in the school workshop, constructing a radio set.
