THOMSON, GEORGE MALCOLM (1848-1933) a son of William Thomson, was born in Calcutta, educated at Edinburgh High School and University, and after some business experience in London arrived in New Zealand in 1868, and began farming at Mabel Bush, Southland. In 1871 he joined the staff of Otago Boys' High School as science master, and in 1876 represented Otago in Rugby football. He was a founder of the Otago Technical School in 1889, and for several years superintendent (and later chairman); a promoter of the Dunedin City Mission (1896), and president of the Y.M.C.A. for 20 years, and was connected with the kindergarten movement. For six years (1908-14) he was Reform member for Dunedin North in the House of Representatives, and he sat in the Legislative Council (1918-32).

Retiring from teaching in 1903, Thomson was engaged as analyst and scientific specialist, and both before and after that time made many important contributions to science. In 1872 he was elected a member of the New Zealand Institute, which published many of his papers, and he was secretary and later president of the Otago branch, and a senior member of the board of governors, three times president and a senior fellow of the Institute. He was elected a fellow of the Linnean Society (1879), of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and the Royal Society of Tasmania, and was for many years New Zealand secretary of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science. He was a founder and chairman of the marine hatchery board, a member of the acclimatisation society, and a founder of the Dunedin Naturalist Field Club. His published works include Ferns and Fern Allies of New Zealand (1882), Introductory Class Book of Botany (1891), New Zealand Naturalists' Calendar (1909), Wild Life in New Zealand: Mammalia (1921), History of Portobello Fish Hatchery (1921), Naturalisation of Animals and Plants in New Zealand (1922). In 1928 he was awarded the Hector medal by the New Zealand Institute.

Thomson married first (1873) Emma, daughter of James Allan, Hopehill, Otago; and second (1910) Alice, daughter of William Craig, of Melbourne. He died on 25 Aug 1933. (See James ALLAN THOMSON.)

N.Z.P.D., 26 Sep 1933; Cycl. N.Z., iv (p); Trs. N.Z. Inst., vol. 64, Aug 1935; Who's Who N.Z., 1905, 1924, 1932; Otago Daily Times, 26 Aug 1933 (p)

Reference: Volume 2, page 194

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