The Queen's College Record 2020

1967 Dr B P Gardner
1968 Dr D M Littlewood
1969 Dr K T Maslin
1970 Dr J E M Clarke
1972 Dr N J Walton
1973 Dr M R Green
1975 Prof C M Christensen
(Honorary Fellow)
1976 Dr J R Moxey
1979 Mr A N Smith
1984 Dr J M C Gray
Ms H J Sowerby
Emeritus Fellow
Emeritus Fellow
Dr R M Acheson
Mr M S Gautrey
The news of the deaths of Old Members
comes to the notice of the College
through a variety of channels. The
College is unable to verify all these
reports and there may be some
omissions and occasional inaccuracies.
Obituaries
MORRIN ACHESON
‘…when the time comes I hope that I will remain in
your memories for a short while like Lewis Carol’s Alice
in Wonderland’s Cheshire Cat. The Cat disappeared
but the grin remained.’ – Morrin Acheson, at his 90th
birthday celebration in Basel, 25 February 2015.
Emeritus Fellow Dr R. Morrin Acheson died on 4 July
2020, at the age of 95. Morrin was associated with
the College and its community for nearly 70 years. He
tutored over 200 chemistry undergraduates at Queen’s
from 1953, when he was appointed to a College lectureship, and subsequently a
teaching Fellowship in 1958, until his retirement in 1986.
Morrin also ran an active research laboratory in the Biochemistry Department. His main
interest was heterocylic chemistry, whose structures are at the heart of many natural
products as well as many pharmaceuticals. In addition to over 100 Part II and DPhil
students from throughout the University, he attracted visiting scientists from around
the world.
He was held in great regard by his former students and researchers for his kindness,
encouragement and infectious enthusiasm. Morrin was punctilious in keeping in
contact with them after they left Oxford and was indefatigable in sending letters, and
later emails, congratulating them on new appointments and milestones in their careers
and personal lives. They have gone on to pursue careers in accountancy, banking, the
College Record 2020 | The Queen’s College 115