In 1950 he married Amy Rogerson and when she banned science books in their bedroom, he read magic books instead. It was in Glasgow that he rekindled his interest in magic, serving as president, and later honorary life president, of the Scottish Conjurers’ Association and later honorary life president of the Scottish Association of Magicians, editing the magazines of both organisations. He began his career as a lecturer in biochemistry at Leeds University, where he had taken a BSc and PhD, moving to Glasgow University in 1951 as a senior lecturer in biochemistry. ![]() His interest in chemistry developed at Goole Grammar School and he recalled how, during the war, he decided to test his gas mask by making chlorine gas in the garden shed: “Fortunately worked”. The next Christmas he was given his first box of tricks, then, by saving up tokens from boxes of Quaker Oats, he bought his first magic book, The Master Book of Magic. ![]() He became fascinated by magic aged five when his father and grandfather entertained him with some simple tricks while he was convalescing from a bout of pneumonia: “I was hooked after that.” Philip would be delighted.”Įdwin Alfred Dawes was born on Jat Goole, in the West Riding of Yorkshire, to Harold Dawes and Maude, née Barker. “But everything changes in time and it has been recognised that he is a great poet worthy of inclusion. “I feared this would not happen following the claims of misogyny and racism and all the rest,” said Dawes. On December 2 2016, his efforts were crowned with success when, together with the society’s president Anthony Thwaite, he unveiled Larkin’s memorial at Poet’s Corner. Ten years after Larkin’s death in 1985 he became founder chairman of the Philip Larkin Society and waged a long campaign for the poet to memorialised at Poet’s Corner in Westminster Abbey. Professor Edwin Dawes, who has died aged 97, combined a career as a biochemist whose research led to the development of the first completely biodegradable plastic, with that of a multi award-winning magician and prolific historian of magic.Įddie Dawes was also a close friend at Hull University of the poet Philip Larkin, whom he entertained with sleights of hand and magic tricks.
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