GUTHRIE, Frederick Bickell (1861-1927)

agricultural chemist

son of Frederick Guthrie, F.R.S., was born at Mauritius in 1861. He was educated at University College, London, and at the university of Marburg. He was assistant to the professor of chemistry at Queen's College, Cork, for some years, and in 1887 became demonstrator in chemistry at the Royal College of Science, London. He came to Australia about 1890 and in that year was appointed demonstrator in chemistry at the university of Sydney. In 1892 he was made chemist to the New South Wales department of agriculture. In this department he did much research in connexion with soil analysis, manures, and the milling qualities of wheat. He was also closely associated with William Farrer (q.v.) and his work on wheat breeding. For periods in 1896, 1904-5, and 1908-9 Guthrie was acting-professor of chemistry at the university of Sydney. In 1901 he was president of the chemical section of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science, and in 1913 president of the agricultural section. He was elected president of the Royal Society of New South Wales for 1903 and was one of the joint honorary secretaries from 1906 to 1910. Guthrie was also an original member of the Commonwealth advisory council of science and industry. He retired from the agricultural department of New South Wales in January 1924, and died at Sydney on 7 February 1927. He married Ada Adams, who survived him with a daughter. He lost his two sons in the 1914-18 war. He wrote many papers for scientific societies some of which were published as pamphlets. His work as an economic and agricultural chemist was of widespread benefit to primary production in Australia.

Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales, 1927, p. 12; The Daily Telegraph, Sydney, and The Sydney Morning Herald, 8 February 1927.