Louis Matheson
Sir James Adam Louis Matheson | |
---|---|
1st Vice-Chancellor and President of Monash University | |
In office 1960–1976 | |
Succeeded by | William Scott |
Personal details | |
Born | Manchester University | 11 February 1912
Profession | professor, Engineer |
Sir James Adam Louis Matheson
Early life
Born in
Vice-Chancellor of Monash
In 1960, at just 47 years old, Matheson became the first Vice-Chancellor of Monash University, a position he held until 1976. Given only 12 months to prepare for the opening of the University, Matheson worked with exceptional speed and effectiveness. He assembled staff, established courses, and set up faculties, teaching and research facilities. When Monash opened, Matheson led and oversaw rapid development, from an empty site in Clayton, to a university recognised internationally for excellence in research and teaching. When the University opened in 1961, it had just 347 students; but 11 years into Matheson's term, it had expanded to over 12,000. Matheson managed the tumultuous years of student activism at Monash in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He was often criticised by some of the more radical students, but succeeded in maintaining strong academic standards throughout. His responsiveness to student ideas and demands meant the unrest was contained as successfully as possible.
In an article written shortly after his death, the
During his term as Vice-Chancellor, he sat on the Royal Commission on the collapse of Melbourne's King Street Bridge (from 1962 to 1963).
Later life
Beyond his work at Monash, Matheson also oversaw the development of two universities in Papua New Guinea, and was Chancellor of the University of Papua New Guinea from 1973 to 1975. He was active in a number of research and professional organisations in Australia. He was a Foundation Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering and President of the Institution of Engineers.
Matheson received numerous distinguished awards for his achievements at Monash. He received Honorary Doctorates from Hong Kong, Manchester, Melbourne and Monash Universities.
He was appointed a
In 1989, Matheson suffered a stroke which confined him to a wheelchair for the remainder of his life. His wife, Lady Audrey, cared for him at home during this time.[2] Matheson died on 27 March 2002 at the age of 90. His widow died on 16 November 2014, aged 100.
References
- ^ "Foundation Vice-chancellor - James Adam Louis Matheson - Monash University".
- ^ a b ATSE – MATHESON James Adam Louis Archived 20 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Clayton campus libraries, Monash University
- ^ It's an Honour: CMG. Retrieved 2 April 2014
- ^ It's an Honour: KBE. Retrieved 2 April 2014