Alexander Crichton Mitchell

This is the home page for one of Scotland's lesser-known but hugely influential physicists and meteorologists Dr. A. Crichton Mitchell FRSE.  I  am currently preparing a biography of Mitchell with particular reference to his invention of the anti-submarine harbour defence technique known as indicator loops.

Briefly: Mitchell was born in Edinburgh on 1 July 1864 to James Mitchell and Isabella Mitchell (nee Crichton). He studied physics under Professor Tait at Edinburgh University from 1883 to 1890 and in that time he was awarded a BSc and a DSc. In 1890 he was appointed Professor of Mathematics and Physics at His Highness The Maharajah's College at Trivandrum in India. He also became Director of the Trivandrum Observatory. In 1893 he was promoted to Principal and continued in this joint role until 1909 when he was appointed Director of Public Instruction for the state of Travancore, India. His work in revising the Education Code in 1910 is still recognised by the current government of Kerala (India) as being one of the finest pieces of legislation enacted in the State.  In 1912 Mitchell retired and took leave until 1914 and in this time continued as a research fellow at Edinburgh University. He then undertook his antisubmarine research for the Royal Society of Edinburgh until 1916 when he was appointed as Director of the Eskdalemuir Magnetical Observatory in southern Scotland. An article about my work in Trivandrum can be found in The Hindu on-line at The Hindu : Metro Plus Thiruvananthapuram : An irresistible attraction.


Me, In Mitchell's lecture theatre in Trivandrum
In Mitchell's chair at the Trivandrum Observatory

At front of Mitchell's lecture hall. Mitchell's portrait is above that of Gandhi on the wall behind.
In front of Mitchell's Physics building at University College, Trivandrum. Inscription says "1906" - when the building was opened. I was assured that Gandhi stood on these very steps.

In 1915 Mitchell undertook experiments on the detection of submarines for the Royal Society of Edinburgh and in 1916 was appointed to the Eskdalemuir Geomagnetic Observatory as Director and continued in this role until his retirement in 1924. Mitchell married his wife Agnes in 1892 who died in 1948 and Mitchell himself died in 1952. His first son Alan passed away in 1951. His remaining children Margaret and Steuart died in 1986 and 1991 respectively.

Mitchell made considerable original contributions to meteorology and geomagnetism, publishing a dozen papers mainly in the journals of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. He won the RSE's Keith Medal in 1933 for his work on geomagnetism.

If you have any feedback please contact me at the address below.

  Email: Dr. Richard Walding (waldingr49@yahoo.com.au)
  Research Fellow
  School of Physical Science
  Griffith University
  Home Phone: 61 07 32064976
  69 Summit Street, Sheldon, Q, 4157, Australia


Dr Walding

TECHNICAL

  • How an indicator loop works