Personal papers:
Student papers:
Professional papers:
Stotherd Thomas Richard Smith Mitchell , the son of John Mitchell, a law clerk, and his second wife, Mary Jane Mitchell, nee Smith, was born at 'Rosebank', 45 Springfield Road, Bishopbriggs, on 1 November 1897 . He was educated at Bishopbriggs Higher Grade School, Lanarkshire, and Allan Glen's School, Glasgow. He began studies at the University of Glasgow in 1915 , but the First World War intervened and he served three years in Egypt. He returned to the university in 1920 on an ex-servicemen's grant, graduating BSc with Special Distinction in Chemistry in 1922 . As holder of the Mackay Smith Scholarship, he then became a research student under the supervision of Professor George Gerald Henderson .
Dr mitchell began teaching in the department of Physical Chemistry to fund his studies, and was awarded a Carnegie Research Scholarship for 3 years starting in 1923. He graduated with a PhD in Chemistry in 1926 and obtained the degree of DSc in 1931 for original work undertaken during a Carnegie Teaching Fellowship in 1927-1932. He had training in music as a young man and had at least one song published. In 1933 he was appointed Lecturer in Physical Chemistry, a post he held (with promotion to Senior Lecturer in 1949) until his retirement in 1963 . Early in his career, he was instrumental in the design of the University's new Chemical Institute. He served on the Board of the Faculty of Science in the 1930s-1940s, and was active in several scientific societies, including the Chemical Society, of which he was a Fellow for more than 40 years. His colleagues commended his teaching ability and his supervision of numerous honours undergraduate and research students. Dr Mitchell shared his home with his half-sister Mary McWhinnie Mitchell, b. 16 October 1877, the daughter of John Mitchell and his first wife, Janet Fraser Mitchell, nee McWhinnie. He died at Bishopbriggs on 4 August 1980 .
The papers have been arranged according to national and international archival standards to reflect the original order of their creation and to facilitate archival access and preservation. Former reference numbers from DC 148 and DC 245 are provided where possible.
Open except individual items in DC 148/3/5/4
Unknown
Printed and digital file level lists available in search room. Large print available on request.
No known copies
Fonds level description compiled by Hannah Westall, Archives Assistant, 22 May 2000.
Applications for permission to quote should be sent to the Archivist.
Reproduction subject to usual conditions: educational use and condition of documents.
This material has been appraised in line with standard GB 248 procedures
In creator's custody until his death; deposited by subsequent resident of house.
None expected
This material is original
Copies of Mitchell's PhD and DSc theses and John S Davidson's PhD thesis are available in the University Library.
