Dave Gavine after the presentation of his medal. The statue is of John Henry Lorimer, RSA. Photograph by Duncan Waldron.
It gives me great pleasure to announce that Dr Dave Gavine has been awarded the Lorimer Medal of the Astronomical Society of Edinburgh. This medal is awarded from time to time in memory of our benefactor, John Henry Lorimer RSA, in recognition of meritorious work in diffusing the knowledge of Astronomy among the general public.
Dave was born in and brought up in Dundee. He graduated with a BSc in Astronomy and Geology from the University of StAndrews and taught Science in Dundee before attending Aberdeen University where he earned an MA in Geography. He taught at Fort Augustus Abbey School before moving to Edinburgh in 1979 to take up a post as Lecturer in Maths and Science at the Leith Nautical College (later Jewel and Esk Valley College). He is in charge of the Planetarium at the College which is well worth a visit.
Dave spent nine years researching for his PhD from the Open University on The History of Astronomy in Scotland from 1745 to 1900. This is the comprehensive treatment of the subject.
Dave is a founder member (and Honorary President) of the Dundee Astronomical Society, past president of the SAG, honorary vice-president of the Edinburgh University Astronomy Society and Assistant Director of the BAA’s Aurora Section. He is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and of the Royal Meteorological Society.
He is a well-known speaker at meetings of Astronomical Societies around the country and has educated and entertained many thousands of visitors to the Planetarium which he runs at the College. We have been very fortunate to have Dave as one of our more active members and he has twice been President of the ASE (1983-85 and 1991-92).
Graham Rule, FRAS
President
1995 June 2