Background
He was born in Dundee in Scotland on 4 May 1888, the only son of Margaret and Robert K Butchart. His father was a manager in a local jute spinning mill.
assistant mathematician student
He was born in Dundee in Scotland on 4 May 1888, the only son of Margaret and Robert K Butchart. His father was a manager in a local jute spinning mill.
He attended Morgan Academy and the High School of Dundee before receiving a place at the University of Street Andrews where he received a bachelor"s degree in Mathematics in 1913. During this time he studied at University College, Dundee, now the University of Dundee, which was then a college of the University in Street Andrews.
He served for two years as Professor of Mathematics at the illustrious Raffles College in Singapore. He lost a leg in the First World War. After graduating he worked as a student assistant in the Mathematics department of University College, Dundee until December 1914.
He then gave up a position in Wilson College in Bombay to instead serve his country.
He received a commission as a Lieutenant in the 14th battalion Royal Scots on 24 December 1915. After training at Stobs in the Scottish borders he got a position as Brigade Signals Officer.
He left for France and Flanders in the summer of 1915. He rose to the rank of Captain.
Unfortunately he was seriously wounded and lost a legal
He was not discharged from the army until 1920. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in February 1915 (shortly before being sent to France). His proposers included Doctorate"Arcy Wentworth Thompson.
In July 1921 the University of Street Andrews awarded him a Doctor of Philosophy and gave him the new title of Lecturer in Mathematics.
From 1928 to 1930 he was Professor of Mathematics at Raffles College in Singapore and apparently very much enjoyed the climate there. Sadly, he died of malaria, which materialised soon after boarding ship.
He died in the Indian Ocean. He was buried at sea, 65 miles south-east of Colombo on the same day, 30 March 1930.