Samuel James Thomson

Who was Samuel James Thomson?

Professor Samuel James Thomson was a Scottish chemist and author, and was Reader, Titular Professor and Director of Chemical Laboratories at the University of Glasgow.

Born in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, Thomson was educated at Hamilton Academy. He entered the University of Glasgow in 1940, interrupting his studies to join the army in 1943. Commissioned into the Royal Signals Thomson served as a Lieutenant in India and Malaya and, returning to Glasgow in 1946, graduated BSc in 1947 and PhD in 1951, and later, DSc in 1966.

After six years as Lecturer in Chemistry at the University of Durham, Thomson returned to the University of Glasgow as Lecturer in Chemistry, thereafter promoted to Senior Lecturer, in 1961; Reader, in 1968; and, in 1973, Titular Professor. In 1970 Thomson had also been appointed Assistant Director of the Chemical Laboratories, leading in 1979 to his appointment as Director and Head of Department, a post he held until he retired in September 1987.