Background
Prescott was born in England, educated at the University of Manchester achieving Bachelor of Science with First Class in 1911.
Prescott was born in England, educated at the University of Manchester achieving Bachelor of Science with First Class in 1911.
In 1919 he was awarded a Master of Science by the University of Manchester based on a thesis of his phosphate studies while at Rothamsted.
The following year he was awarded the first postgraduate scholarship in agricultural science taken at Rothamsted Experimental Station at Harpenden. From 1916 to 1924, Prescott worked for Sultanic Agricultural Society of Egypt. There he produced 13 scientific papers, including four on the study of nitrogen in the soil, and alkalinity of Egyptian soils.
From 1924 until his death Prescott worked in Australia, initially as Chair of Agricultural Chemistry at the University of Adelaide.
He published in Council for Scientific and Industrial Research bulletin 52 the "The Soils of Australia in Relation to Vegetation and Climate" at a scale of 1:19 x 10*6. This paper was the basis of his submission to the University of Adelaide for which he was awarded the degree of Doctor of Science in 1932.
Prescott produced "Atmospheric Saturation Deficit in Australia" in 1931 and with H.G. Poole, "The relationships between Sticky Point, Moisture Equivalent and Mechanical Analysis in some Australian Soils" in 1934.
Member council governors Scotch College, South Australia, 1938-1961, chairman of council 1953-1961. Fellow Royal Southern London, Australian Academy of Sciences, Royal Australian Chemical Institute, Australian Institute Agricultural Science.
Married Elsie Mason, October 12, 1915. 1 son, John Russell.