David Orme Masson

Sir David Orme Masson KBE FRS (13 January 1858 – 10 August 1937) was a scientist born in England who emigrated to Australia to become Professor of Chemistry at the University of Melbourne. He is known for his work on the explosive compound Nitroglycerine.

Masson was born in Hampstead (near London), the only son and second child of David Mather Masson, Professor of English Literature at University College, London and his wife, Emily Rosaline née Orme. His father became Professor of Rhetoric and English Literature at the University of Edinburgh in 1865.

Masson was educated at Oliphant's School in Edinburgh (1865–68), the Edinburgh Academy and then the University of Edinburgh, where he graduated M.A. in 1877. He studied chemistry under Crum Brown (B.Sc. 1880). He then studied under Friedrich Wöhler at Göttingen in 1879 before obtaining a position with Sir William Ramsay at Bristol, with whom he did research work on phosphorus. Masson returned to Edinburgh University in 1881 with a Research Scholarship for three years, obtaining his D.Sc. degree in 1884. Masson was involved in the founding of the Student Representative Council. His research during this period included investigations in the preparation and properties of Nitroglycerine (glyceryl trinitrate).

...
Wikipedia