Hugh Sutherland 
Biography of Hugh Sutherland
Hugh Sutherland
Hugh Brown Sutherland (1920-2011) was an alumnus who became the University's first Cormack Professor of Civil Engineering from 1966 to 1986 and an internationally- renowned authority on soil mechanics.
Hugh Sutherland first joined the University of Glasgow as a lecturer in 1942, having completed his Civil Engineering training in 1940 and thereafter working on the design and construction of several Royal Ordnance Factories.
In 1946 he became interested in soil mechanics and applied for a scholarship to go to Harvard to work with the leaders in the field. Awarded the Sir James Caird Travelling Scholarship, he was involved in the Panama Canal Research Project, an examination of the potential effects of a nuclear explosion in the Central American waterway.
On returning to Glasgow he continued as a lecturer. His talents were identified by Gilbert Cook and his career continued at Glasgow, becoming Reader in 1957 and one of the first of the Titlular Professor appointments in 1964. The University Court noted his appointment as the first Cormack Professor of Civil Engineering in October 1965 and he took up the post in 1966. He remained in the Cormack Chair until his retirement in 1986. Thereafter he maintained his close relationship with Glasgow as a Director of the University Trust, receiving an honorary doctorate for his contribution to University life in 1991.
The University was sad to hear of Professor Sutherland's death on 20 December 2011.
Summary
Hugh Sutherland
Born 22 January 1920.
Died 20 December 2011.
GU Degree: DUniv, 1991;
University Link: Alumnus, Honorary Graduate, Lecturer, Professor
Occupation categories: civil engineer
Record last updated: 15th Jan 2012
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University Roles
- Alumnus
- Honorary Graduate
- Lecturer
- Professor
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Professorships:
