W.A. Watts (1930-2010) Chair of Botany 1966-1981

Bill Watts graduated with a first class moderatorship degree from the Botany Department in 1952. He then spent two years teaching in the University of Hull before returning to the department, first as a research assistant and then as a lecturer. He was a leading international researcher into long term vegetation change and spent a considerable amount of his time conducting his research in USA. He was appointed to the chair of Botany in 1966. During his tenure he oversaw the establishment of the new TCD Botanic Gardens at the Trinity Hall site in Dartry and the building of the Luce Hall which currently houses the Botany teaching and research laboratories. He held the senior administrative positions in College of Dean of Science and Senior Lecturer. He resigned the chair of Botany when he was elected Provost in 1981. He was also very active outside the College in promoting conservation issues; he was chairman of An Taisce and instrumental in the establishment of several national parks. He also served on boards of some Dublin hospitals and was president of the Royal Irish Academy (1982-85). He retired from the Provostship in 1991 but remained active in research in the department until his death in April 2010. Further details on his life and career can be found here.