Died: ??

John Turner's parents were Archibald Turner (born in Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire about 1831) who was a 'tenter' and Janet Cameron. The 1881 census, taken when John Turner was ten years old, describes his father as a mill worker. John Turner is the youngest of the family having older siblings: Duncan (born about 1856 and a student of theology), Thomas (born about 1858 and a railway clerk), Jeanie (born about 1860), William (born about 1866 and an apprentice moulder) and Robert (born about 1869 and an apprentice grocer).

John Turner entered Bridge of Weir Public School in 1877, when he was six years old, and after two years moved to Paisley Public School. He spent three years at this school before moving in 1882 to Lauder Public School.

Turner first matriculated at the University of Edinburgh in October 1886 when he was fifteen years old. He graduated with an M.A. in 1891, then a B.Sc. (Math) in the following year. He took up the position of Assistant Mathematical Master at The Edinburgh High School in session 1892-93. John Marshall, M.A. Oxon., LL.D. Edin., a classics scholar, was Rector of The Edinburgh High School when Turner was appointed. His School Rector's Report for session 1892-93 explains why the School appointed Turner:-

Another important addition to the Staff has been Mr John Turner, M.A., who entered at the beginning of the Session on his duties as Assistant Mathematical Master. It has always been found somewhat difficult to classify the Mathematical pupils of a school in which languages form the main basis of classification in such a manner as to prevent boys of unequal mathematical attainments being classes together. It is with a view to enabling Mr Smith [E Johnston Smith, M.A. was Principal teacher of Mathematics and Arithmetic] to form suitable subdivisions of the Mathematical Classes that Mr Turner is now associated with him in the Mathematical Teaching. The experience of this first year of the new arrangements leads me to hope that before long a very considerable higher level of mathematical attainments may be looked for in the school. Mr Turner's work throughout the Session has been most successful.

In November 1894, Turner joined the Edinburgh Mathematical Society. By this time he was a mathematics master at the Royal High School, Edinburgh. Turner was a very active member of the Society. He was Editor of the Proceedings of the Edinburgh Mathematical Society from 1904, then was Honorary Treasurer of the Society from 1905 to 1909. Following this period of service to the Society he was honoured by being elected as President for session 1910-11. As President, he chaired the meeting of the Society on Friday 10 November which was a solemn occasion when he read a tribute to Professor Chrystal to the meeting. Chrystal had died a week earlier.

Turner carried out administrative duties for the Society over many years but he also contributed to the academic work of the Society. For example he contributed the paper On the teaching of geometry to the meeting of the Society on Friday 8 December 1905. He remained a member of the Society throughout his career. After he retired in 1933, he remained a member, giving his address as 110 Findhorn Place, Edinburgh, 9. He reached the positions of Depute Rector and Principal Teacher of Mathematics at the Royal High School, Edinburgh, before he retired. W King Gillies, M.A., B.A. (Oxon.), LL.D., F.R.S.E., a classics scholar, was Rector of the Edinburgh Royal High School during the last thirteen years the Turner taught there. In his School Report for session 1932-33, the Rector writes:-

At Easter Mr John Turner, Deputy Rector and Principal Teacher of Mathematics, retired after forty years' service, and the best memorial of his work is the unbroken series of success gained by his pupils in Mathematics, and their abiding gratitude.

When Turner retired in April 1933, a lunch was held to mark the occasion [4]:-

The Retiral of Mr Turner

On Friday, 7^th April, the Staff met at lunch to say farewell to Mr Turner. The Rector presided, and, in addition to the whole Staff, there were present Miss Turner and Miss MacLaren.

In his speech the Rector [W King Gillies, M.A., B.A. (Oxon.), LL.D., F.R.S.E.] referred to the esteem in which Mr Turner was held by his pupils, an esteem which was built on the sound foundation of good teaching. He mentioned his personal indebtedness to Mr Turner and, expressing his profound gratitude for thirteen years' assistance, said that Mr Turner's wise and dispassionate judgment on affairs had been a source of comfort and assurance. To all his colleagues Mr Turner had been a valued friend, the younger members of the Staff in particular finding in him a kind and considerate adviser. The Rector congratulated Mr Turner on entering on his retirement after such long and distinguished service, and expressed his pleasure in handing over to him a pair of field-glasses and several books as a token of affection and esteem from his colleagues, who might fairly claim to represent the High School Masters and Mistresses of the last forty years.

1. Biographical Index of Staff and Alumni (University of Edinburgh).
2. Graduates in Arts, 1884-1925 (University of Edinburgh).
3. Graduates in Arts (University of Edinburgh).
4. The Retiral of Mr Turner (The Scotsman, April 1933)