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Kerr Grant was born in the then rural town of [[Bacchus Marsh, Victoria|Bacchus Marsh]], near [[Melbourne]] in the [[Australia]]n state of [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]] in 1878. He studied [[mathematics]] at the [[University of Melbourne]] and was awarded a BSc in 1901 and MSc in 1903, both with first class honours. In 1904 he studied at the [[University of Göttingen]] in [[Germany]] where he studied with American [[Nobel Prize]] winning [[chemist]] and physicist [[Irving Langmuir]]. In 1911, he was appointed Elder professor of physics at the [[University of Adelaide]]. He held this position until 1948 and his students included Dr. Douglas Allen of the British atomic research team, Professor George Eric MacDonnell Jauncey,<ref>{{cite web|title=Australian Dictionary of Biography|url=http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/jauncey-george-eric-13006|website=Australian Dictionary of Biography|accessdate=31 October 2014}}</ref> professor of physics at [[Washington University, St. Louis]],<ref>Cyril Burley "A Professor is saying goodbye" ''The News'', Adelaide, 29 October 1948</ref> Hugh Cairns, [[Mark Oliphant]], and [[Howard Florey]] (later Baron Florey).<ref name="ADB">{{cite web
Kerr Grant was born in the then rural town of [[Bacchus Marsh, Victoria|Bacchus Marsh]], near [[Melbourne]] in the [[Australia]]n state of [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]] in 1878. He studied [[mathematics]] at the [[University of Melbourne]] and was awarded a BSc in 1901 and MSc in 1903, both with first class honours. In 1904 he studied at the [[University of Göttingen]] in [[Germany]] where he studied with American [[Nobel Prize]] winning [[chemist]] and physicist [[Irving Langmuir]]. In 1911, he was appointed Elder professor of physics at the [[University of Adelaide]]. He held this position until 1948 and his students included Dr. Douglas Allen of the British atomic research team, Professor George Eric MacDonnell Jauncey,<ref>{{cite web|title=Australian Dictionary of Biography|url=http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/jauncey-george-eric-13006|website=Australian Dictionary of Biography|accessdate=31 October 2014}}</ref> professor of physics at [[Washington University, St. Louis]],<ref>Cyril Burley "A Professor is saying goodbye" ''The News'', Adelaide, 29 October 1948</ref> Hugh Cairns, [[Mark Oliphant]], and [[Howard Florey]] (later Baron Florey).<ref name="ADB">{{cite web
| last = Tomlin
| last = Tomlin
| first = S.G.
| first = S. G.
| year = 1983
| year = 1983
| url = http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A090080b.htm
| url = http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A090080b.htm
| title = Grant, Sir Kerr (1878 - 1967)
| title = Grant, Sir Kerr (1878–1967)
| work = [[Australian Dictionary of Biography]]
| work = [[Australian Dictionary of Biography]]
| publisher = [[Australian National University]]
| publisher = [[Australian National University]]
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In 1919, he attended the laboratories of the [[General Electric]] Co. at [[Schenectady]] in the [[United States]]. While there he was intrigued by the work performed there on molecular films and on return to Adelaide encouraged study on such films on [[mercury (element)|mercury]]. During [[World War II]], like many scientists, Kerr Grant was involved in war work. He was appointed chairman of the Scientific (physics) Manpower Advisory Committee, controller of the Adelaide branch of the Army Inventions Directorate, a member and later chairman of the Optical Munitions Panel (of the Ordnance Production Directorate), and a member of the physical and meteorological sub-committee of the Chemical Defence Board.<ref name="ADB"/>
In 1919, he attended the laboratories of the [[General Electric]] Co. at [[Schenectady]] in the [[United States]]. While there he was intrigued by the work performed there on molecular films and on return to Adelaide encouraged study on such films on [[mercury (element)|mercury]]. During [[World War II]], like many scientists, Kerr Grant was involved in war work. He was appointed chairman of the Scientific (physics) Manpower Advisory Committee, controller of the Adelaide branch of the Army Inventions Directorate, a member and later chairman of the Optical Munitions Panel (of the Ordnance Production Directorate), and a member of the physical and meteorological sub-committee of the Chemical Defence Board.<ref name="ADB"/>


While he never considered himself an outstanding physicist, Kerr Grant's work during the war and in teaching and administration lead to the award of a [[knighthood]] in 1947. He was involved in the popularisation of science through a newspaper column answering reader questions on scientific matters and was seen by some as an [[archetype|archetypal]] [[Professor#Professors in fiction|absent minded professor]], a portrayal which he greatly enjoyed. He was an extremely popular figure at Adelaide University, and cheerfully played along with the many [[practical joke]]s played upon him by his students, usually involving his 1929 vintage car, which he steadfastly refused to get rid of.<ref>"All Loved 'The Old Professor'" obituary, no byline, original cutting from ''The Advertiser'' vol. 110 no. 33,998 on reverse, otherwise no date shown (after Oct. 15 1967)</ref> His final lecture on his retirement in 1948 was attended by around 700 past and present students, and was the rowdiest "rag" honouring a departing professor in the history of the University.<ref>"Hilarious Rag for professor", no byline, ''The News'' Adelaide, Friday 29 October 1948</ref> Sir Kerr Grant died in 1967 from [[pneumonia]] after being admitted to hospital with a broken hip.<ref name="ADB"/> Kerr Grant Terrace in the Adelaide suburb of [[Plympton, South Australia|Plympton]] is named after him, as are lecture theatres in both the University of Adelaide's North Terrace campus and the University of South Australia's City East campus.
While he never considered himself an outstanding physicist, Kerr Grant's work during the war and in teaching and administration lead to the award of a [[knighthood]] in 1947. He was involved in the popularisation of science through a newspaper column answering reader questions on scientific matters and was seen by some as an [[archetype|archetypal]] [[Professor#Professors in fiction|absent minded professor]], a portrayal which he greatly enjoyed. He was an extremely popular figure at Adelaide University, and cheerfully played along with the many [[practical joke]]s played upon him by his students, usually involving his 1929 vintage car, which he steadfastly refused to get rid of.<ref>"All Loved 'The Old Professor'" obituary, no byline, original cutting from ''The Advertiser'' vol. 110 no. 33,998 on reverse, otherwise no date shown (after Oct. 15 1967)</ref> His final lecture on his retirement in 1948 was attended by around 700 past and present students, and was the rowdiest "rag" honouring a departing professor in the history of the University.<ref>"Hilarious Rag for professor", no byline, ''The News'', Adelaide, Friday 29 October 1948</ref> Sir Kerr Grant died in 1967 from [[pneumonia]] after being admitted to hospital with a broken hip.<ref name="ADB"/> Kerr Grant Terrace in the Adelaide suburb of [[Plympton, South Australia|Plympton]] is named after him, as are lecture theatres in both the University of Adelaide's North Terrace campus and the University of South Australia's City East campus.


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 22:08, 8 October 2018

Sir Kerr Grant
Kerr Grant
Born(1878-06-26)26 June 1878
Bacchus Marsh, Australia
Died13 October 1967(1967-10-13) (aged 89)
Adelaide, Australia
Nationality Australian
Alma materUniversity of Melbourne
Scientific career
InstitutionsUniversity of Adelaide
Doctoral advisorThomas Ranken Lyle[citation needed]
Doctoral studentsWilliam O. Gibberd[citation needed]

Professor Sir Kerr Grant was an Australian physicist and a significant figure in higher education administration in South Australia in the first half of the twentieth century.

Kerr Grant was born in the then rural town of Bacchus Marsh, near Melbourne in the Australian state of Victoria in 1878. He studied mathematics at the University of Melbourne and was awarded a BSc in 1901 and MSc in 1903, both with first class honours. In 1904 he studied at the University of Göttingen in Germany where he studied with American Nobel Prize winning chemist and physicist Irving Langmuir. In 1911, he was appointed Elder professor of physics at the University of Adelaide. He held this position until 1948 and his students included Dr. Douglas Allen of the British atomic research team, Professor George Eric MacDonnell Jauncey,[1] professor of physics at Washington University, St. Louis,[2] Hugh Cairns, Mark Oliphant, and Howard Florey (later Baron Florey).[3]

In 1919, he attended the laboratories of the General Electric Co. at Schenectady in the United States. While there he was intrigued by the work performed there on molecular films and on return to Adelaide encouraged study on such films on mercury. During World War II, like many scientists, Kerr Grant was involved in war work. He was appointed chairman of the Scientific (physics) Manpower Advisory Committee, controller of the Adelaide branch of the Army Inventions Directorate, a member and later chairman of the Optical Munitions Panel (of the Ordnance Production Directorate), and a member of the physical and meteorological sub-committee of the Chemical Defence Board.[3]

While he never considered himself an outstanding physicist, Kerr Grant's work during the war and in teaching and administration lead to the award of a knighthood in 1947. He was involved in the popularisation of science through a newspaper column answering reader questions on scientific matters and was seen by some as an archetypal absent minded professor, a portrayal which he greatly enjoyed. He was an extremely popular figure at Adelaide University, and cheerfully played along with the many practical jokes played upon him by his students, usually involving his 1929 vintage car, which he steadfastly refused to get rid of.[4] His final lecture on his retirement in 1948 was attended by around 700 past and present students, and was the rowdiest "rag" honouring a departing professor in the history of the University.[5] Sir Kerr Grant died in 1967 from pneumonia after being admitted to hospital with a broken hip.[3] Kerr Grant Terrace in the Adelaide suburb of Plympton is named after him, as are lecture theatres in both the University of Adelaide's North Terrace campus and the University of South Australia's City East campus.

References

  1. ^ "Australian Dictionary of Biography". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  2. ^ Cyril Burley "A Professor is saying goodbye" The News, Adelaide, 29 October 1948
  3. ^ a b c Tomlin, S. G. (1983). "Grant, Sir Kerr (1878–1967)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Australian National University. Retrieved 2007-03-23.
  4. ^ "All Loved 'The Old Professor'" obituary, no byline, original cutting from The Advertiser vol. 110 no. 33,998 on reverse, otherwise no date shown (after Oct. 15 1967)
  5. ^ "Hilarious Rag for professor", no byline, The News, Adelaide, Friday 29 October 1948
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