The first scientist to become Vice Chancellor of Leeds University who also discovered the chemical constituents of mustard gas
Bernard Mouat Jones (1882–1953), chemist and university administrator, was born in Streatham, 27 November 1882 The family lived at 1 Killesier Avenue. The fourth son of Alexander Mouat Jones, wine merchant, and his wife, Martha Eleanor Brinjes. He was educated at Queen's College, Streatham (1890–95), and at Dulwich College (1895–1901). In 1901 he went to Balliol College, Oxford
In 1914 Mouat Jones enlisted in the London Scottish regiment as a private and was sent to France. Immediately after the first German gas attack in 1915 he was promoted to captain and became assistant director of the central laboratory, general headquarters, formed to organize defensive measures.
Most of the problems were chemical, and Mouat Jones was usually able to solve them. He devised methods of protection from phosgene gas, and developed an almost uncanny skill in identifying quickly any new gas used by the enemy; he was the first to identify the chemical in mustard gas (dicholorodiethyl sulphide). For his services he was appointed DSO in 1917, was three times mentioned in dispatches, and in 1918 became director of the laboratory with the rank of lieutenant-colonel
In 1938 Mouat Jones became the fourth vice-chancellor of Leeds University and the first scientist to hold that office
(Harold Hartley and KD Watson)
Portrait by Henry Marvell Carr (1894–1970)
© the copyright holder. Photo credit: The Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery, University of Leeds
News paper clip Yorksire Post and Leeds Intelligence Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD and Leeds University Union