James Colquhoun Irvine - Julia Melvin

The life story of James Colquhoun Irvine, KBE, FRS, DSc (1877-1952), takes place against the backcloth of the pageantry of Scotland's most ancient university, whose servant he was for over fifty years. As the University of St Andrews celebrates its 600th year, this biography unfolds the life of a great Scotsman, who led the University at its most significant point of development. Principal and Vice-Chancellor for over thirty years, Irvine is often referred to as its second founder. He brought to St Andrews the lucid and penetrating habit of mind of the scientist that he was, and a passionate love for the university where he had been a student, lecturer and professor. The University of St Andrews essentially owes its present-day form to the vision and talents of this man, who fought for its survival and turned the ancient university into a leading modern one. Irvine's life, played out on the world stage, was full of colourful incident and adventure.This fully researched biography recounts the history of his roots in the west of Scotland; the influences of his boyhood; his work as a pioneering organic chemist; the part that he and his chemical laboratory played during the First World War; and his important role in the history of the University of St Andrews.