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SMAD. An Organ of Student Opinion. 1934. Volume 5. Number 1.

Obituary — Professor D. M. Y Sommerville

page 7

Obituary

Professor D. M. Y Sommerville

It is with regret that we record the death of Professor D. M. Y. Soummerville, M.A., D.Sc., F.R.S.E., F.R.A.S., F.N.Z. Inst., who for the past eighteen years held the Chair of .Mathematics at this College.

Towards the end of last session. Professor Sommerville sought medical advice on acount of heart trouble, and he obtained leave for the remainder of the session. He anticipated resuming his duties as usual in 1934, but he died suddenly at the end of January.

Professor Sommerville was born in India, and later went to Scotland where he entered the University of St. Andrews. There he rapidly showed his ability as a mathematician, and was given an appointment as a lecturer. Shortly afterwards he was awarded the degree of D. Sc. for his work in the field of geometry. He was appointed to the Chair of Mathematics in this College in 1915.

The ability of Professor Sommerville as a mathematician was widely recognised, and although his time was fully occupied with his ordinary teaching duties, he continued to do a considerable amount of original work, contributing papers to many societies, and writing no fewer than four books on the subject of geometry, in which he was keenly interested.

In his teaching work, Professor Sommerville was very thorough, but his treatment of all subjects was nevertheless very elegant—he never omitted any essential step in the argument, and never included any unnecessary step. Only those students who have attended his lectures, or read his published books, can fully appreciate his artistry in this respect. In addition to his outstanding mathematical ability, he was fully conversant with the difficulties of the young student. His kindly interest and helpful advice were much appreciated by all.

Professor Sommerville did much valuable work for the College library, being Chairman of the library Committee for a number of years. He also took an active interest in College affairs, and the Mathamatical and Physical Society in particular owes much to his interest and support.

He was held in the highest esteem by all students of the College, and the attendance of many of his old students at the funeral service was a testimony of his lovable personality. By his death the staff and students of the College have lost an able teacher and a valued friend.