| Administrative History | In 1926 Sir John Arthur Thomson, Professor of Natural History, University of Aberdeen, arranged a series of five lectures under the title 'Ways of Living: Nature and Man' on behalf of the Aberdeen Branch of the Workers' Association. His remit was to explore 'how animals, including man, fared in the view of science under "individualist, co-operative and parasitic ways of life"' (quoted from review in the 'Sunday Observer', 7 January, ref. 1927 MS 3270/2/4/1/3).
Professor Alexander Low, Aberdeen's newly-appointed Chair of Anatomy, was his first choice to present the lecture on 'Man', but fully occupied with the commitments of his new post, Low recommended Lockhart for the job, who was at that time employed as an assistant and lecturer in the department. The lectures were subsequently published as 'Ways of Living, Nature and Man', ed. by J. Arthur Thomson (London: Hodder and Stoughton, c 1927). Lockhart's chapter, 'Man and Nature' (Chapter 7), was very positively received by reviewers. |