Robert Cameron Mackenzie

Robert Cameron Mackenzie (7 May 1920 – 4 July 2000) was a Scottish thermoanalyst and clay mineralogist who was instrumental in developing the Macaulay Institute for Soil Research in Aberdeen as a centre of excellence in soil mineralogy.

Early life Robert Cameron Mackenzie was born near Portmahomack, the only son of farmer, John Alexander Mackenzie. He was educated at the Tain Royal Academy and the University of Edinburgh where he graduated with a First Class Honours in Chemistry in 1942 followed by a PhD in 1944 for studies in the field of gas kinetics. In 1957 he was also awarded a DSc degree by Edinburgh University for contributions to clay mineralogy.

Career Following graduation he took up a post as a soil surveyor at Macaulay Institute where he spent his career until his retiral in 1983. and the two volume Differential thermal analysis

He played an active part in both national and international organisations.

During his career he received a number of prizes and was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (1961) and the Royal Society of Chemistry and North American Thermal Analysis Society (1985), he was also appointed Distinguished Member of UK Clay Minerals Group (1983) and First Honorary Member of International Clay Technology Association (ICTA) (1988). and continued as a member of the editorial board of Clay Minerals until 1995.