Nellie Walker Mrs. Wishart

The first woman staff member was Nellie Walker.34 The daughter of William Walker, she was educated at Dundee High School and entered University College, Dundee, in 1908 at age 17. She obtained an M.A. (St. Andrews) in 1911 and a B.Sc. (St. Andrews) in 1913. For the next 2 years she was a research scholar, and then briefly in 1915 undertook war work with the Royal Society War Committee. Later that year, she obtained a position as Demonstrator in Chemistry at Bedford College. In 1918, she returned to Dundee, where she completed a Ph.D. (St. Andrews) in 1920. 

Walker was then appointed as University Assistant. The editor of The College Magazine of University College, Dundee commented  

For two years a Carnegie research scholar, she has now been appointed assistant in our own Chemistry Department, and we rejoice at her promotion. Successful as a student, she will be as successful in the capacity of teacher. In the social life of the College, too, Miss Walker has always taken an active part. 

No society for which she is eligible has lacked her support... Quiet, unassuming, deliberate in all her words and actions, she has a very real influence on all around her. If she be no brilliant conversationalist, to her at least belongs that gift so priceless, yet so rare, the genius for listening.35 

In 1921, Walker was promoted to Lecturer and Assistant, a post she held until 1927 when she resigned and married W. G. Wishart. 

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