Thomas Summers West

Thomas Summers West, FRS (18 November 1927 - Jan 9 2010) was a British chemist.

He was born in 1927 in Peterhead, Scotland and educated at Tain Royal Academy. He then studied chemistry and obtained a B.Sc degree at Aberdeen University.

He carried out research on analytical chemistry at both Birmingham University and Imperial College before becoming Professor of Chemistry at Aberdeen University. He subsequently (1998) became a director of the Macaulay Institute for Soil Research.

He published the textbook Analytical Chemistry in 1973.

He was awarded a CBE in 1987 and was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry. He was president of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry

In March 1989 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. the citation on his application read: "Distinguished for his contributions to analytical atomic and molecular spectroscopy. His early work at Birmingham on molecular spectroscopic studies of analytical chelate chemistry was of great importance and included his interpretation of the only known positive colour reaction of the fluoride ion. This reaction has replaced all other spectrophotometric reactions for fluoride. His evolution of the unique conditionally specific reaction between calcium and a new specially synthesised trihydroxytrisazo clathrate cage dyestuff molecule was also outstanding. His work on quartz fibre torsion ultramicrobalances and thereafter on a complete system of ultramicroscopic organic elemental and functional group analysis is also notable. At Imperial College, he created a new research group to work on analytical atomic absorption and atomic fluorescence spectroscopy. Under West's leadership this group very quickly became established as a leading centre of research in these fields. His many contributions included those to electrothermal methods of atomisation, microwave-excited atomic spectral lamps, low-luminosity flames, and atom-trapping techniques. At Aberdeen he has continued work in these fields. He has also contributed to the use of piezo-electric crystal sensor systems for the measurement of minute traces of airborne pollutants. He has collaborated in work on bio-significant and toxic trace elements in the soil-plant ecosystem and on acidification phenomena. West has served widely on many national and international committees and is at present Secretary-General of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry." <ref? "Library and Archive". London: The Royal Society. Retrieved 19 July 2010.</ref>

He retired as Emeritus Professor of Chemistry at Aberdeen University. He had married Margaret Lawson in 1952 and had three children, Ann, Ruth (Byrd) and Tom. He died in Lincoln in 2010; his wife died the following day.

References

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