Prof John Robert Urquhart Dewar FECVS (1850–1919) was a 19th/20th-century Scottish veterinarian who served as Principal of the Dick Vet school in Edinburgh from 1895 to 1911.
Life
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He was born on 26 March 1850 in Aberdeenshire.
In 1875, he won a silver medal in General Proficiency from the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland.[1] Through the 1870s he was living at Midmar in Aberdeenshire.[2]
He became Veterinary Advisor to the City of Edinburgh.[3]
In 1895, he was appointed Principal of the Dick Vet School in Edinburgh. He was then living at 15 Union Street in the eastern New Town.[4] He oversaw seven professors and 100 students.[5]
By the time of his retiral in 1911 he was living at 18 Drummond Place, a very fine Georgian townhouse.[6]
He died at Fettercairn on 25 October 1919.[7] He is buried in Kinnernie Churchyard.[8]
Artistic recognition
editDewar was one of twenty "shadow portraits" created in the Summerhall building of the college, depicting former Principals. The portraits are now in the Easter Bush buildings.[9]
Family
editIn 1880, he was married to Mary Wilson Watt (1856-1935). They had three daughters: Mary (1881-1955), Jessy Urquhart (1884-1941) and Helen Agnes (1886-1964)Their only son William Gordon Dewar was drowned in Leith Docks aged 11.[10]
References
edit- ^ Transactions of the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland 1859
- ^ British Veterinary Journal 1879
- ^ The Development of Veterinary Education in Eastern Scotland: Boddie and Philips
- ^ Edinburgh Post Office Directory 1896
- ^ Report of the Commissioners of Education in Scotland 1907
- ^ Edinburgh Post Office Directory 1911
- ^ Veterinary Journal (UK) vol 75 - 1919
- ^ "John Robert Urquhart "Tam" Dewar (1850-1919) -".
- ^ "Edinburgh, Summerhall, Royal (Dick) Veterinary College | Canmore".
- ^ "William Gordon Dewar (1882-1894) - Find a Grave".