D'Arcy Thompson receives knighthood


D'Arcy Wentworth Thompson was knighted in 1937. Here is an article which appeared in The Scotsman on Tuesday 11 May 1937:

"A rare combination of the humanist and the naturalist," is one of the many phrases which have been coined in paying tribute to Professor D'Arcy Wentworth Thompson, C.B., D.Litt., D.Sc., F.R.S., F.R.S.E., Professor of Natural History, University of St Andrews, who has received a Knighthood. His jubilee was recognised by the University Court early in 1935. He occupies a distinguished place amongst the scholars of ancient and modern literature. His election to the presidency of the Classical Association testifies to his knowledge of and interest in the ancient languages and literature of Greece and Rome: his election as an honorary member and as president of the Edinburgh Mathematical Society in recognition of his pioneer work in the application of mathematical methods to biological studies is a guarantee of mathematical ability of no mean order; and his work as adviser to the Fishery Board for Scotland and as a delegate to the Behring Sea Fisheries Conference and to the North Sea Conference sufficiently indicates his international fame as a scientific investigator.

In 1898, in the reign of Queen Victoria, he received the honour of Commander of the Bath, and has been honoured by learned societies and Universities, including the University of Edinburgh, which conferred upon him the honorary degree of LL.D. in 1934. He was Lowell Lecturer at Harvard University last year.

Born in 1860, he is a son of D'Arcy Wentworth Thompson, Professor of Greek, Queen's College, Galway. He went to Dundee as the first occupant of the Chair of Biology in December 1884, and has been at St Andrews since 1917. In 1888 the Chair of Biology became the Chair of Natural History or Zoology, and the Dundee College became part of the University of St Andrews in 1897.

Last Updated November 2007