Brian Harold Davies (1937-2022)

Brian was born near Birkenhead and his family returned to North Wales in WW2. He attended Rhyl Grammar School, where his father was head of chemistry, and studied biochemistry at Liverpool University.

He came to Aberystwyth in 1959-60 with a team from Liverpool led by Professor Trevor Goodwin, who came to establish the university’s first Biochemistry Department in the Cledwyn Building. His PhD was supervised by Prof. Goodwin on a subject of mutual interest, namely carotenoids, and awarded by the University of Wales. He then proceeded to a lectureship in biochemistry.

He also brought his lovely tenor voice and received training in the Music Department here. Having won prizes for singing in his late teens, he joined the Madrigal Group and Gilbert and Sullivan Society, singing in a range of opera, concerts and oratorios and later serving as chairman of the Friends of Ceredigion Young Musicians.

Brian met his wife Susan in the early 1960s and they married in 1966 – mixing biochemistry with medieval history! Before their marriage, Brian was warden of Padarn Hall, while Susan was a tutor at Penbryn Hall on Penglais. His wide and varied interests also benefited his children, Rebecca and Matthew, as both developed their music skills to high levels.

Brian’s interest in carotenoids continued for many years, and took him abroad for conferences and research. He was also a visiting scholar in California, Saudi Arabia and various parts of Europe, and widely praised for his quality of teaching, care for students and support for new colleagues.

He was also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC) and active in the local branch’s committee, working with local schools and similar outreach activities. Following formal retirement, he became a governor of Coleg Ceredigion and researched historical methods of dyeing fabrics, manufacturing paints and colouring manuscripts, comparing these with modern processes involving synthetic dyes. These interests led to producing a short course for postgraduates studying Archive Administration who needed to understand the materials of early documents, ink, and colour for decoration and images, and he advised the Archives and Records Association on skills and knowledge necessary for conservators.

In later retirement he researched early chemistry teaching at Aberystwyth University, and the extramural classes needed to train those dealing with new synthetic dyes and other products. His magnificent Powerpoint presentations gained much praise over the years and revealed further artistic as well as technical skills.

(written by Dr Susan J Davies, Brian’s wife and widow)