Thomson, David Landsborough, 1901-1964

Scientist and university administrator David Thomson was born in Aberdeen, Scotland. He received his B.Sc. and M.A. from Aberdeen University and his Ph.D. from Cambridge in 1928. After a period of postgraduate study on the continent, he came to McGill in 1928 as a lecturer in biochemistry. He was appointed as full Professor in 1937 and was named Gilman Cheney Professor in 1947. In 1941, Thomson became Chairman of the Biochemistry Department and in 1942, Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. From 1955 until the tragic concussion that forced his retirement in 1962, Thomson served as McGill's Vice-Principal. Thomson's research work centred on endocrinology and metabolism. He was consultant to the Federal government on questions of nutrition, and was heavily involved with both learned bodies and inter-university organizations. A man of wide reading and ready wit, he was also a sought-after public speaker and radio broadcaster on topics both scientific and literary. He passed away in 1964.