David Harrison (chemical engineer)

For other people with the same name, see David Harrison.

Sir David Harrison CBE FREng FRSCM (3 May 1930 – 27 March 2023) was a British chemical engineer and academic. He was vice-chancellor of the University of Keele from 1979 to 1984, vice-chancellor of the University of Exeter from 1984 to 1994, master of Selwyn College, Cambridge, from 1994 to 2000, and pro-vice chancellor of the University of Cambridge in 1997.

Insignia of Knight Bachelor

Harrison was educated at Bede School, Sunderland, Clacton County High School and Selwyn College, Cambridge, reading natural sciences (chemistry), before receiving a PhD in physical chemistry. He joined the newly formed Chemical Engineering Department doing extensive research into Fluidisation which resulted in three books, all written with his close friend Prof John Davidson. He taught at Cambridge University until 1979, becoming a fellow of Selwyn in 1957 and its Senior Tutor.

Harrison was elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 1987.

Outside academia, he was chairman of the Government's Advisory Committee on the safety of nuclear installations. He chaired the Councils of both Exeter and Ely Cathedrals, he was a governor of numerous schools and Director of the Salters Livery Company. Between 1996 and 2005 he was Chairman of the Council of the Royal School of Church Music.

Harrison was received a CBE in 1990 and was knighted in 1997. In 1962 he married Sheila Rachel Debes and they had a son and daughter and one son deceased.

Harrison died on 27 March 2023, at the age of 92.

Harrison House and Harrison Drive in Homerton College, University of Cambridge are named after Harrison, marking his service as chair of the Trustees of Homerton College until 2010 when it received its Royal Charter and became self-governing. The Harrison Building is named after him at Exeter University. The SCR at Selwyn College is named the Harrison Room after him.