Lieutenant Gavin Morton Hood 
Biography of Lieutenant Gavin Morton Hood
Gavin Morton Hood
Gavin Morton Hood was born 7 Feb 1891 in Cambuslang, Lanarkshire. His father, John Hood, was a tailor. He was educated at West Coats Higher Grade School, Cambusland, 1896-1907 and Hamilton Academy, South Lanarkshire, 1907-9.
In 1909 he passed preliminary exams to enter the Arts Faculty of Glasgow University. He took classes in Natural Philosophy, Logic and Metaphysics, Latin and Mathematics. He gained first class certificates in all his classes winning a prize in his third year Natural Philosophy class. He graduated Master of Arts with First Class Honours in Mathematics and Natural Philosophy on 22 Nov 1913.
In 1913 he was awarded the Breadalbane Scholarship: awarded to graduates to encourage further research in Mathematical and Physical Science. He joined the Pure Science Faculty having already begun to take classes in Physical Laboratory whilst studying for his MA. He took two Astronomy classes 1913-14 with Professor Ludwig Becker placing top of the class and receiving a prize in one of these. His principal subject was Mathematics and he reached the top of the advanced honours class in 1914. He was awarded the Cunningham Gold Medal. 22 April 1914 he graduated Bachelor of Sciences with special distinction in Mathematics and Natural Philosophy. He lived at Sherwood, Cambuslang throughout his studies.
Shortly after Hood’s second graduation World War 1 broke out and in September 1914 he joined up as a Private in the 6th Cameron Highlanders. He became temporary 2nd Lieutenant of the Argyle & Sutherland Highlanders 27 June 1917. By the time he was discharged in January 1919 he had reached the rank of Lieutenant.
After the war he became a teacher. He taught Mathematics and Science at Hutcherson’s Grammar School from 1919 and also assisted in Mathematics evening classes at the Royal Technical College.
In 1930 he returned to the University to study for a Doctorate of Science. His thesis was entitled “Some Problems on the Osculating Conic at a Point of a Plane Curve” and dealt with questions of circular and higher curvature applied to a large number of examples. He won the William Jack Prize for best mathematical doctoral thesis and published an article based on his thesis in the College Journal in 1933. He received his Doctorate of Sciences in 1932.
Hood continued to teach and moved to 8 Southern Avenue, Burnside, Glasgow. He died 6th January 1978 in Burnside.
Summary
Lieutenant Gavin Morton Hood
Born 7 February 1891, Cambuslang, Scotland.
Died 6 January 1978.
GU Degrees: MA, 1913; BSc, 1914; DSc, 1932;
University Link: Graduate
Occupation categories: teacher
WWI: View WWI Roll of Honour Entry
Record last updated: 23rd Sep 2021
Country Associations
Scotland
Place of Birth
