| His
Presidential Address "A Society for the Learned and
the Leisured" delivered as he demitted office in
October 1988, was unforgettable. Beneath its very
polished delivery, was a clear analysis (unsettling for
many who heard it) of how the Society and the academic
world would need to adapt, in order to have the
relevance necessary to survive into the 21st century.
Sir Alwyn was a most distinguished geologist, having
held academic posts in that subject at Glasgow, Queen’s
Belfast and Birmingham, before returning to Glasgow
University in 1976 as Regius Principal. It was,
therefore, particularly fitting that the first in a
continuing series of major international geological
conferences - The Hutton Conferences - should
have been held in Edinburgh during his Presidency. The
conference proceedings were published in the Society’s
Transactions: Earth Sciences, thereby maintaining
the link to James Hutton’s own Theory of the Earth
published in the first volume of Transactions.
Sir Alwyn’s reputation as a geologist was widely
recognised, both nationally and internationally - he was
an Honorary Fellow of the Geological Society of America
and a foreign Member of the Polish Academy of Sciences
(PAN) and helped encourage closer links between PAN and
RSE.
The many heavy demands of being Principal at an
increasingly challenging time for the academic world did
not bring his research activity to a halt and he
continued to publish; but this was only possible by
starting very early in the morning in the lab, before
devoting a full day to the duties of being Principal.
After retiring in 1988, he devoted his time
enthusiastically to research and created a Palaeobiology
Unit at Glasgow University where he worked tirelessly.
His energy and devotion to research seemed almost
limitless and he also played a key role in the
substantial Treatise on Invertebrate Palaeontology
and its subsequent revision.
In addition to his scientific achievements, Sir Alwyn
was an outstanding committee man. He was a most skilful
chairman, where his wit, Welsh eloquence and astute
insight transformed many a gathering into a memorable,
pleasurable occasion - even for those who did not get
all they wanted! These gifts he not only deployed for
the considerable benefit of the University of Glasgow
and the Royal Society of Edinburgh, but for many other
bodies, including the Scottish Agricultural Colleges and
Scottish Hospitals Endowment Research Trust. He also
played an important role in the development of the
Scottish National Museums and the Williams report on the
National Museum of Antiquities helped shape their
direction and subsequent transformation.
His scholarship and clear sense of vision, combined
with the ability to translate this into convincing
practical outcomes made him an inspirational leader.
Although Welsh by birth and education, he long regarded
Scotland, and especially Glasgow, as his true home where
he will be sadly missed by many.
But no appreciation of Sir Alwyn would be complete
without mentioning his remarkable wife, Joan, who so
ably supported and encouraged him throughout 55 years of
marriage. Individually they were delightful and most
convivial company - together they were an unforgettable
partnership. To her, their children Gareth and Sian,
sincere sympathies on their great loss.
A memorial service will be held at Glasgow University
in October.
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