MacTutor
HECTOR MUNRO MACDONALD, who was elected a Fellow on 1918 November 8, died at Aberdeen on 1935 May 16. He was born at Edinburgh on 1865 January 19, though his home was in Easter Ross in the parish of Fearn, where his boyhood was spent. Educated at Tain Royal Academy and Old Aberdeen Grammar School, he entered King's College of the University of Aberdeen in 1882. He graduated with first-class honours in Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, securing the premier University prizes, and proceeded to Cambridge, capping a brilliant under-graduate career by graduating as Fourth Wrangler, and in 1891 gaining the Smith's Prize.
In 1890 he was elected a Fellow of Clare College, and spent the next fourteen years in Cambridge in teaching, administration and research. Most of his published work has been in the field of Applied Mathematics, particularly on the topic of Electromagnetic Waves, though several important papers on subjects of Pure Mathematics appear under his name. In 1901 he was awarded the Adams Prize for an essay that formed the basis of his important book, Electric Waves, and in the same year he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to knowledge, particularly in wireless telegraphy and physical optics, the Royal Society conferred on him in 1916 the Royal Medal.
In 1904 he was elected to the Chair of Mathematics in the University of Aberdeen, and he remained in office in his Alma Mater up to his death after a short illness last year.
To the University of Aberdeen he was a tower of strength, being esteemed both for his success as a teacher and investigator and for the able and whole-hearted attention he devoted to the large share he undertook of University administration. Important changes in University policy and structure took place during his tenure of the Chair of Mathematics, and his sound judgment, pertinacity and attention to detail proved of the utmost value.
He was for many years a member of the University Court, and as convener of the Edilis Committee was actively responsible for many structural alterations and new buildings, and he was especially interested in the successful completion of the Elphinstone Hall at King's College in commemoration of the founder.
He played an active part in the educational world of the North of Scotland, and was instrumental in the development of many institutions and projects.
His services during the war, first for the Ministry of Munitions, then for the Ministry of Labour, and finally as Chairman of the Inter-Departmental Committee on labour questions connected with building, were recognised by the award of the O.B.E.
He never married, and is survived by his only sister, Mrs. Watson.
J. A. C.
In 1890 he was elected a Fellow of Clare College, and spent the next fourteen years in Cambridge in teaching, administration and research. Most of his published work has been in the field of Applied Mathematics, particularly on the topic of Electromagnetic Waves, though several important papers on subjects of Pure Mathematics appear under his name. In 1901 he was awarded the Adams Prize for an essay that formed the basis of his important book, Electric Waves, and in the same year he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to knowledge, particularly in wireless telegraphy and physical optics, the Royal Society conferred on him in 1916 the Royal Medal.
In 1904 he was elected to the Chair of Mathematics in the University of Aberdeen, and he remained in office in his Alma Mater up to his death after a short illness last year.
To the University of Aberdeen he was a tower of strength, being esteemed both for his success as a teacher and investigator and for the able and whole-hearted attention he devoted to the large share he undertook of University administration. Important changes in University policy and structure took place during his tenure of the Chair of Mathematics, and his sound judgment, pertinacity and attention to detail proved of the utmost value.
He was for many years a member of the University Court, and as convener of the Edilis Committee was actively responsible for many structural alterations and new buildings, and he was especially interested in the successful completion of the Elphinstone Hall at King's College in commemoration of the founder.
He played an active part in the educational world of the North of Scotland, and was instrumental in the development of many institutions and projects.
His services during the war, first for the Ministry of Munitions, then for the Ministry of Labour, and finally as Chairman of the Inter-Departmental Committee on labour questions connected with building, were recognised by the award of the O.B.E.
He never married, and is survived by his only sister, Mrs. Watson.
J. A. C.
Hector Munro Macdonald's obituary appeared in Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society 96:4 (1936), 295-296.