M. G. Scroggie
Encyclopedia
Marcus Graham Scroggie, B.Sc., F.I.E.E., (1901–1989) was a British technical author active in the fields of radio and electronics.
, Essex
in 1901, the only son of the Baptist minister, writer and theologian Dr. W. Graham Scroggie. He graduated from Edinburgh
University in 1922. He gained practical experience, in the still emerging technologies of radio and electronics, at Bruce Peebles Ltd and Creed Telegraph, before moving to Burndept Wireless Co - one of the original constituents of the pre-Reith British Broadcasting Company
.
in the Royal Air Force
(RAF) in command of Pevensey Bay radar station in East Sussex and from there became a lecturer at the RAF Radio School at Yatesbury, Wiltshire, as well as being tasked by the Air Ministry
to take charge of all RAF secret radar and radio publications.
, often under the pseudonym 'Cathode Ray', as well as several books. He died in 1989.
Though not as prolific as FJ Camm
, Scroggie is chiefly remembered for his seminal work, Foundations Of Wireless [in later editions, … and Electronics]. Although this was originally written by A.L.M. Sowerby (and published in 1936 by Iliffe & Sons, London) its third edition of November 1941 was, 'Revised and enlarged by M.G. Scroggie B.Sc, M.I.E.E' and all subsequent editions (including the current 11th edition) bore Scroggie's name as author.
Nine editions of his Radio Laboratory Handbook, later Radio and Electronic Laboratory Handbook, (last and 9th, 1980 edition coauthored by George Gordon Johnstone, ISBN 0408003731) were published.
Early life and education
He was born in LeytonstoneLeytonstone
Leytonstone is an area of east London and part of the London Borough of Waltham Forest. It is a high density suburban area, located seven miles north east of Charing Cross in the ceremonial county of Greater London and the historic county of Essex...
, Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
in 1901, the only son of the Baptist minister, writer and theologian Dr. W. Graham Scroggie. He graduated from Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
University in 1922. He gained practical experience, in the still emerging technologies of radio and electronics, at Bruce Peebles Ltd and Creed Telegraph, before moving to Burndept Wireless Co - one of the original constituents of the pre-Reith British Broadcasting Company
British Broadcasting Company
The British Broadcasting Company Ltd was a British commercial company formed on 18 October 1922 by British and American electrical companies doing business in the United Kingdom and licensed by the British General Post Office...
.
Military service
He served in World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
in the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
(RAF) in command of Pevensey Bay radar station in East Sussex and from there became a lecturer at the RAF Radio School at Yatesbury, Wiltshire, as well as being tasked by the Air Ministry
Air Ministry
The Air Ministry was a department of the British Government with the responsibility of managing the affairs of the Royal Air Force, that existed from 1918 to 1964...
to take charge of all RAF secret radar and radio publications.
Writings
After the War, he became a technical consultant and is known for more than 800 articles he contributed to 'Wireless World'Wireless World
Wireless World was the pre-eminent British magazine for radio and electronics enthusiasts. It was one of the very few "informal" journals which were tolerated as a professional expense.- History :...
, often under the pseudonym 'Cathode Ray', as well as several books. He died in 1989.
Though not as prolific as FJ Camm
Frederick James Camm
Frederick James Camm was an English technical author and magazine editor. He founded several radio and electronics titles, some of which are still in circulation....
, Scroggie is chiefly remembered for his seminal work, Foundations Of Wireless [in later editions, … and Electronics]. Although this was originally written by A.L.M. Sowerby (and published in 1936 by Iliffe & Sons, London) its third edition of November 1941 was, 'Revised and enlarged by M.G. Scroggie B.Sc, M.I.E.E' and all subsequent editions (including the current 11th edition) bore Scroggie's name as author.
Nine editions of his Radio Laboratory Handbook, later Radio and Electronic Laboratory Handbook, (last and 9th, 1980 edition coauthored by George Gordon Johnstone, ISBN 0408003731) were published.