John Forbes Cameron (July 1873 – 21 March 1952) was a Scottish mathematician, academic and academic administrator. He was Master of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge from 1928 to 1948 and was Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge from 1933 to 1935.

J. F. Cameron
Master of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge
In office
1928–1948
Preceded bySir Hugh Kerr Anderson
Succeeded bySir James Chadwick
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge
In office
1933–1935
Preceded bySir William Spens
Succeeded byGodfrey Wilson
Personal details
Born
John Forbes Cameron

July 1873
Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland
Died21 March 1952(1952-03-21) (aged 78)
EducationPerth Academy
Alma materUniversity of Edinburgh
Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge

Early life

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Cameron was born in July 1873 in Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland.[1][2] He was educated at Perth Academy, a state high school in Perth, Scotland.[1] He studied mathematics and natural philosophy at the University of Edinburgh.[3] He was awarded a Ferguson Scholarship, available to graduates of Scottish universities, to attend the University of Cambridge. He studied the Mathematical Tripos at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge from 1895 to 1898.[3] He was tutored by R. R Webb and completed his degree as second wrangler.[1]

Academic career

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In 1899, Cameron was elected a Fellow of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge. The following year, in 1900, he was appointed a lecturer in mathematics and in 1909 was appointed a tutor.[3]

During World War I, from 1914 to 1918, he left the college to work at the Ministry of Munitions.[2][3]

After the war, he returned to Gonville and Caius College and was appointed senior tutor in 1919. Between 1921 and 1928, he served as the college bursar.[3] On 23 November 1928, he was elected Master of Gonville and Caius College.[4] From 1933 to 1935, he additionally served as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge. In 1943, he reached the usual retirement age for a college head, 70 years, but his tenure was extended. He finally retired in 1948, after 20 years as Master.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "CAMBRIDGE MATHEMATICAL TRIPOS". The Dundee Courier & Argus. No. 14030. 15 June 1898. p. 5.
  2. ^ a b "New Master Of Caius College". The Times. No. 45059. 24 November 1928. p. 12.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Mr J. F. Cameron". The Times. No. 52268. 24 March 1952. p. 6.
  4. ^ "New Master of Caius". Daily Mail. No. 10168. 24 November 1928. p. 9.
Academic offices
Preceded by Master of Gonville and Caius College
1928 to 1948
Succeeded by
Preceded by Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge
1933 to 1935
Succeeded by