Mr. Alfred Law, M.A., B.Sc.
It is difficult to visualise Madras College without the
presence of Mr. Alfred Law, who died in the early hours of Wednesday,
5th July, the day of the school prize-giving ; and at that ceremony, to
the bulk of the audience, who were as yet ignorant of the sad fact,
Provost Eraser's announcement seemed incredible, and his extempore and
very moving tribute a perfect expression of the grief felt by pupils
(present and former), staff and citizens. Mr. Law was sixty years of age
and could well have looked forward to several years of more than useful
service, and to the well-deserved years of retirement.
A bald recital of dates cannot make real the essential
man, hut such facts must be given. Mr. Law, having received his
secondary education at Grove Academy, entered University College,
Dundee, as First Bursar. His academic career interrupted by the strain
and suffering of World War 1, he graduated M.A., B.Sc. and gained his
early experience of teaching in Dunfermline High School during the years
1920 to 1930. In the latter year he became Principal Teacher of Science
in Madras College and devoted himself to its welfare both in the
class-room and outside. For several years he was the staff
representative on the College Management Committee, where he always
proved a doughty champion of the interests of the school. One could
never be in any doubt as to his opinion on any subject on which he felt
himself qualified to speak. If one were to choose his outstanding
characteristic, it would be his humour, never forced and never hurtful,
coupled with a very human interest in people. He loved a joke, and made
many good ones.
His wide scientific knowledge, too, was always on tap,
and more than one of his literary colleagues was indebted to him for
elucidating many of the puzzling questions of this mechanical age. He
had the hall-mark of the really knowledgeable man : he trusted himself
enough to admit ignorance on occasion. His technical efficiency was also
at the disposal of his country, for during the Second
War he invented various devices, among them a simplified version of the
"Molotov Cocktail," and made several journeys for interviews to explain
their working, his activities in this sphere being important enough to
merit description in the national press.
During the Summer Term, the staff-room in particular was
the gloomier by his absence, and reports on his state of health were
eagerly awaited by all his colleagues. If affection and respect could
have availed, these emotions were in abundance, so that the outcome of
his illness came as a cruel blow.
Our deepest sympathy goes to Mrs. Law and her sons, both
former Science Duxes of the school, and now engaged respectively in the
professions of Medicine and Law.
"Rejoice that yet on earth your fame on earth is bright
And that your name, remembered day and night,
Lives on the lips of those who loved you well."
