Lloyd Montgomery Pidgeon

Lloyd Montgomery Pidgeon, chemist (b at Markham, Ont 3 Dec 1903). After studies at McGill under Otto MAASS (1927-29) and at Oxford (1929-31), Pidgeon joined the NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL in Ottawa, initially working on electrochemical problems. During this period he developed his well-known process for the production of magnesium metal of high purity (see METALLURGY). Because of the demand for magnesium during WWII, 6 magnesium plants were built throughout North America. In Canada, his discovery led to the formation of Dominion Magnesium Ltd, which he joined in 1941 as director of research.

In 1943 Pidgeon was appointed professor and head of the dept of metallurgical engineering at the University of Toronto, a post he held until his retirement in 1969. There he built a strong graduate school in metallurgy of worldwide reputation. Although he was a chemist by background, his appreciation of the physics of metals led to the growth of physical metallurgy within his department. Under Pidgeon's leadership, the department expanded into materials science in 1965, thus catalyzing creation of a Materials Research Interdisciplinary Group within the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada.

Author J.M. TOGURI