William McKirdy Deuchars was born in Dumbarton in 1930. Prior to attending university, William was a student at Dumbarton Academy. William attended the University of Glasgow from 1948-1952 , taking classes in Natural Philosophy (Ordinary), Mathematics (Ordinary) and Geography in his first year, Natural Philosophy (Higher), Mathematics (Higher) and Astronomy in his second, Natural Philosophy (Honours) and Mathematics (Advanced Honours) in his third, and Natural Philosophy (Advanced Honours) and Mathematics (Advanced Honours) in his fourth year. He came second in his Natural Philosophy (Ordinary) examination in 1949 and third in his Natural Philosophy (Honours) examination in 1951. He was also awarded first class certificates in Mathematics (Ordinary) in 1949 and Astronomy in 1950. He graduated with second class honours BSc degree in April 1952 , but returned the following academic year as a research student. He was awarded a PhD for his research into nuclear reactions in light nuclei in 1956 and subsequently worked as a physicist.
From the guide to the Papers of William McKirdy Deuchars, b1930, science graduate, University of Glasgow, Scotland, 1948, (Glasgow University Archive Services)
