Alec Hibburd Laurie was born in Edinburgh in 1907. He was educated at Sedbergh and read science at King's College, Cambridge. He taught biology briefly at Westminster School before joining the Discovery Investigations as biologist and chemist. He first served as zoologist in RRS William Scoresby during 1929-1930, and then in RRS Discovery II from October to November 1930. Between 1930 and 1931, he served at the Marine Biological Station, South Georgia, and on the whale factory ship Southern Princess for the season 1932 to 1933. He also led a whale-marking cruise. His biological research included an early investigation of reproduction in blue whales, and the physiology and structure of whale respiratory mechanisms. He was awarded the Polar Medal in 1942.
During the Second World War, he was involved in weapons research, first as a civilian and later as a commissioned officer in the Royal Navy. After the war, he applied scientific research to problems in several aquatic fields, including harbour protection, fish farming and sewage treatment. He died on 18 April 1987.
From the guide to the Alec Laurie collection, 1929-1933, (Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge)
