Mark Ledingham Mitchell

Sir Mark Ledingham Mitchell was born on 13 June 1902 at Fitzroy, Adelaide, younger child and only son of William Mitchell, a professor from Scotland, and his South Australian-born wife Marjorie Erlistoun (d.1913), daughter of Robert Barr Smith.

Mark attended Queen's School, North Adelaide, and the University of Adelaide (B.Sc., 1923) where he graduated with first-class honours in physiology. Proceeding to the University of Cambridge (M.Sc., 1929), he entered Christ's College and studied biochemistry in the department in which J. B. S. Haldane was reader.

In 1927 he returned to the University of Adelaide to lecture in the department of biochemistry and general physiology under Professor Brailsford Robertson. Mitchell was lecturer-in-charge (1933-37) of the department while the chair was vacant. He also worked as an editor of the Australian Journal of Experimental Biology and Medical Science, and as editor-in-chief (1936-63) nurtured its growth and international recognition.

On 29 July 1937 his father, by then vice-chancellor, offered the university £20,000 to endow a chair of biochemistry. The proposal was accepted at a council-meeting on the following day. Appointed to the chair in 1937, Mitchell held it until 1962. As professor, he undertook little research, but was widely regarded as a 'competent and conscientious' teacher. He supervised a few postgraduate students, and taught biochemistry to dental, medical and science undergraduates.

By 1949 he had expanded his Handbook of Practical Biochemistry (1934) into a Manual of Practical Biochemistry for Medical Students. He understood and supported his staff, and represented Australian university medical schools on the National Health and Medical Research Council. Much of his time was spent on administration.

A member (1949-65) of the university council and deputy vice-chancellor (1951-65) during the controversial tenure of A.P. Rowe, he demonstrated a 'rare ability to create in negotiations an atmosphere of mutual understanding, respect and complete trust'.

In 1957 he was knighted.

The University of Adelaide, to which he had given money unobtrusively for almost forty years, appointed him emeritus professor in 1962.

Accepting an invitation (1966) to be the first chancellor of the Flinders University of South Australia, Sir Mark filled the office with dignity for a term of five years.

He died on 8 July 1977 and was cremated. His estate was divided between family, friends, charitable organizations and the two universities he had served.

The University of Adelaide named its Centre for Physical Health after him. His portrait by Robert Hannaford is held by Flinders University.