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Mary Masson (1862–1945)

Wife of Sir David Orme Masson, K. B. E., F. R. S., M. A., D. Sc., LL. D., F. I. C., Professor of Chemistry, Melbourne University, 1896-1924; Professor Emeritus since 1924.

Father, the late Professor Sir John Struthers, Edinburgh and Aberdeen Universities. Mother, Christina Alexander, of Wooler, Northumberland.

Born, Edinburgh, 1862. Educated, private tuition, Aberdeen and Continent. Chief studies, Piano and Languages. Married 1886, came to Melbourne, October, 1886.

ACTIVITIES. President for five years University Red Cross Society, 1914- 1919. Executive, Australian Comforts’ Fund, 1915-1918. Created C. B. E. 1918. Foundation member, New Settlers’ League, 1921, was a Vice-president. Chairman of Welcome and Welfare Committee, and President of the Overseas Girls’ Club. Foundation Member, Country Women’s Association of Victoria, 1928. Foundation Member of Victoria League in Victoria, 1908, and Member of the Executive. Interested in Under-graduate life in the University.

Family, one son, two daughters. Son, James Irvine Orme Masson, M. B. E., D. Sc., Director of Science Faculty and Professor of Chemistry, University of Durham, England. Eldest daughter, Flora Marjorie, married Walter E. Bassett, Consulting Engineer, Melbourne. Second daughter, Elsie Rosaline, wife of Professor B. Malinovski, University of London.

CLUBS. Lyceum, Alexandra (President, 1916), Victoria League Club.

HOBBIES. Music, Reading.

This person appears as a part of the Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 10. [View Article]

Citation details

'Masson, Mary (1862–1945)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/masson-mary-7778/text30455, accessed 29 March 2024.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012