James Melville (1908-1984) was born on July 10, 1908, in Lovells Flat, Otago, New Zealand. He was the third of four children born to Andrew Melville, a farmer, and his wife, Isabella, née Somerville, both of New Zealand origin. Melville had a frugal Presbyterian upbringing and completed his schooling at Otago Boys' High School in Dunedin.
For his tertiary education, Melville studied science at the University of Otago, obtaining a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in 1929 and a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in 1930, with first-class honours in chemistry. He then received a travelling scholarship that supported his studies at the Imperial College of Science and Technology, University of London, where he earned a Ph.D. in 1934. Following this, Melville was awarded a Commonwealth Fund fellowship, which allowed him to pursue postdoctoral research at Yale University in the United States from 1934 to 1936.
After his postdoctoral research, Melville returned to New Zealand and joined the staff of the Wheat Research Institute in Christchurch as an assistant chemist. On April 9, 1938, he married Margaret Ogilvie at the Presbyterian Church in Cashmere Hills. In the same year, he was appointed as a biochemist at the plant chemistry laboratory of the Department of Science and Industrial Research in Palmerston North. Melville's career progressed quickly, and he became the director of the laboratory the following year.
In December 1941, Melville was commissioned into the New Zealand Military Forces and was promoted to temporary captain. He conducted operational and chemical warfare research in the South and South-West Pacific areas until his demobilization in December 1944. After his military service, he resumed his duties at the laboratory.
In 1952, Melville became the director of the Grasslands Division of the Department of Science and Industrial Research (DSIR). His research focused on plant nitrogen metabolism and protein chemistry, contributing significantly to the understanding of pasture growth and quality's impact on animal production.
Melville's career continued to flourish as he was appointed director of the Waite Agricultural Research Institute at the University of Adelaide in 1956. He and his family lived on campus and actively promoted collaboration between researchers and colleagues. During his tenure, he expanded the number of departments in the institute, fostering the growth of new fields like animal physiology. Melville also served on various committees and councils, including the university council (1958-1978) and the CSIRO executive as a part-time member (1958-1966).
Throughout his career, Melville was committed to contributing to the development of agricultural industries on a national scale. He served as a council member of the Australian Wine Research Institute (1956-1970) and was involved in various committees related to wool research and production. In 1969, he was appointed CMG, and he received the honorary degree of Doctor of the University from the University of Adelaide in 1979.
James Melville retired as director of the Waite Agricultural Research Institute on December 31, 1973, and moved to a 20-acre property in Longwood, Adelaide Hills. However, he briefly returned to work at the university as the acting deputy vice-chancellor and occasionally acted as vice-chancellor from May to November 1974. He passed away on October 8, 1984, in Daw Park, Adelaide, and was cremated.
There have been several other notable individuals named James Melville or James Melvill:
There are several notable figures with the name James Melville:
(1908-1984)
James Melville was a New Zealand-born agricultural scientist and researcher. He specialised in chemistry and biochemistry, with his research encompassing plant nitrogen metabolism and protein chemistry.
Melville was born on 10 July 1908 in Lovells Flat, Otago, New Zealand. He was the third of four children born to Andrew Melville, a farmer, and his wife, Isabella. He completed his schooling at Otago Boys' High School and went on to study science at the University of Otago, obtaining a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in 1929 and a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in 1930, with first-class honours in chemistry.
From 1932 to 1934, Melville attended the Imperial College of Science and Technology, University of London, with the support of a travelling scholarship, and obtained his Ph.D. in 1934. He then undertook postdoctoral research at Yale University from 1934 to 1936 with a Commonwealth Fund fellowship.
After his postdoctoral studies, Melville returned to New Zealand and joined the Wheat Research Institute in Christchurch as an assistant chemist. In 1938, he was appointed as a biochemist at the plant chemistry laboratory of the Department of Science and Industrial Research in Palmerston North, and he became the director of the laboratory the following year.
During World War II, Melville was commissioned into the New Zealand Military Forces and carried out operational and chemical warfare research in the South Pacific. After the war, he resumed his duties at the plant chemistry laboratory and, in 1952, became the director of the DSIR's grasslands division. His research during this period advanced the understanding of the impact of pasture growth and quality on animal production.
In 1956, Melville moved to South Australia and took up the position of director at the Waite Agricultural Research Institute, University of Adelaide. He encouraged collaboration with other research institutions and implemented a collegiate management style, increasing the number of departments and postgraduate students at the institute. He served on various committees and advisory roles within the university and the agricultural industry throughout his career.
Melville retired from his position at the Waite Agricultural Research Institute on 31 December 1973 and moved to a property in the Adelaide Hills. However, he returned to the university as its acting deputy vice-chancellor from May to November 1974 and occasionally acted as vice-chancellor. He was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Adelaide in 1979 and passed away on 8 October 1984 in Adelaide.
Youtube Title: "We Live In This Weird Dystopian Clown World" James Melville Reviews The Week's Biggest Stories
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"We Live In This Weird Dystopian Clown World" James Melville Reviews The Week's Biggest Stories
Youtube Title: "Draconian Policies!” James Melville Says Conversation Around 'Net Zero' Needs to Shift
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"Draconian Policies!” James Melville Says Conversation Around 'Net Zero' Needs to Shift
Youtube Title: James Melville on the 'transfer of wealth to the super rich' and the post-Covid order
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James Melville on the 'transfer of wealth to the super rich' and the post-Covid order
Youtube Title: Anti-lockdown campaigner James Melville slams segregation and demonisation of the unvaccinated
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Anti-lockdown campaigner James Melville slams segregation and demonisation of the unvaccinated
Youtube Title: James Melville On Nigel Farage’s Coutts Bank Account Closure: ‘It’s Playing God With Opinions’
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James Melville On Nigel Farage’s Coutts Bank Account Closure: ‘It’s Playing God With Opinions’
Youtube Title: James Melville Assesses Marie Yovanovitch's Testimony | Amanpour and Company
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James Melville Assesses Marie Yovanovitch's Testimony | Amanpour and Company
Youtube Title: "Playing God With Opinions" - James Melville SLAMS Coutts Over Nigel Farage Bank Account Cancelling
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"Playing God With Opinions" - James Melville SLAMS Coutts Over Nigel Farage Bank Account Cancelling
Youtube Title: 'Rishi Sunak is not the solution, he is part of the problem' says James Melville
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'Rishi Sunak is not the solution, he is part of the problem' says James Melville
Youtube Title: James Melville REACTS To ‘Peckham Punchup’
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James Melville REACTS To ‘Peckham Punchup’
Youtube Title: Introducing U.S. Ambassador to Estonia James Melville
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Introducing U.S. Ambassador to Estonia James Melville
Youtube Title: James Melville slams Colston 4 for toppling the Edward Colston statue
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James Melville slams Colston 4 for toppling the Edward Colston statue
Youtube Title: James Melville: 'The government is asleep at the wheel'
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James Melville: 'The government is asleep at the wheel'
Youtube Title: James Melville On Migration: ‘I’m Not Xenophobic! I’m Just Sick Of What Is Happening!’
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James Melville On Migration: ‘I’m Not Xenophobic! I’m Just Sick Of What Is Happening!’
Youtube Title: David Bull and James Melville accuse government of 'gaslighting' over cost of living crisis
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David Bull and James Melville accuse government of 'gaslighting' over cost of living crisis
Youtube Title: "Absolutely Outrageous" James Melville Challenges Dame Alison Rose Over NatWest £2.4m Payout
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"Absolutely Outrageous" James Melville Challenges Dame Alison Rose Over NatWest £2.4m Payout
Youtube Title: "We Have The Worst Politicians At The Worst Time" | James Melville Reviews A Week Of UK Politics
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"We Have The Worst Politicians At The Worst Time" | James Melville Reviews A Week Of UK Politics
Youtube Title: James Melville GRILLS Government For Giving "Tough Man Statements" Instead Of Resolving NHS Strikes
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James Melville GRILLS Government For Giving "Tough Man Statements" Instead Of Resolving NHS Strikes
Youtube Title: James Melville Says ‘There Should Never Be Violence’ In Dealing With Just Stop Oil Protests
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James Melville Says ‘There Should Never Be Violence’ In Dealing With Just Stop Oil Protests
Youtube Title: Chargé d'Affaires James Melville on his Berlin connection
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Chargé d'Affaires James Melville on his Berlin connection
Youtube Title: James Melville slams Chancellor over bankers' bonuses
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James Melville slams Chancellor over bankers' bonuses