Appointment

The University of Glasgow archives contain a printed application, dated 17 May 1904, by Professor John Walter Gregory, DSc, FRS, FGS for the new Chair of Geology in the University of Glasgow which was submitted on his behalf by his sister Anne J. Nicholson, acting as attorney for Gregory, and Arthur Smith Woodward (Hon. LL D Glasgow, FRS & Keeper in the Geology Department of the NHM; Fig. 14.1), as authorized by cablegram from Gregory himself. Once again his elder sister, who was close to him throughout his life, helped him as did Woodward. His application listed his experience and achievements chronologically of which only a few items are repeated here. ‘Obtained first place in Honours for Geology in BSc 1891, University of London … 1887–1900 extremely varied experience in Palaeontology in BM(NH) … 1900 succeeded the late Sir Frederick McCoy as Professor of Geology in the University of Melbourne and since 1901 has also held office as Director of the Geological Survey of Victoria … 1900 Selected as Director of the Civilian Staff of the British Antarctic Expedition but did not accept the office … has visited nearly all the principal Universities and Geological Museums in Europe and North America and is well acquainted with the nature of the work in progress … 1892 Awarded the 1892 Lyell Fund, Sir A. Geikie addressed him “You have shown yourself to be at once an accomplished palaeontologist and an able petrographer”; 1894 Cuthbert Peek Award from Royal Geographic Society for geographic work in East Africa; 1894 selected to deliver one of the evening discourses at the BA in Oxford … member of the Royal Society subcommittees for Geology and Palaeontology in connection with the International Catalogue; 1892–1900 Assistant Examiner in Physiography to the Science and Arts Dept [Univ. of London]; 1897 …