George is top of the class at graduation

It took George 12 years researching his chosen project - the life of Robert Patterson, an Irish businessman and naturalist born in Belfast, and his contribution to the study of natural history in schools and colleges in Ireland in the nineteenth century.

Robert Patterson was one of seven founder members of the Belfast Natural History Society which established the first museum in Ireland to be built by public subscription. He also wrote the text book First Steps to Zoology which was translated into 23 languages and used worldwide.

George was delighted that along with his wife Doreen, son John, and daughter-in-law Susan, his 8 year old grandson Christopher, a pupil at Dromore Central, were able to attend.

“I wanted him to see the great spectacle” said George, “it’s such a colourful event, in such a grand hall”.

Although George was the one receiving his PHD, he paid tribute to Christopher saying: “He’s an inspiration to me”.

George, who was previously headmaster of Gilford Primary School, started his PHD after retiring but says he has always had an interest in that kind of thing

Wife Doreen said: “He had decided his brain was going to seed and he needed to shake it up”.

George added: “I never stopped learning and I’ve always enjoyed studying. I enjoyed school and education shouldn’t stop when you leave school.

“With this sort of study, it’s not so much the difficulty, but more the challenge of researching and looking at things in light of the new information that’s been found.”

There won’t be much time for George to put his feet up now, as his work may now be published, so he’ll be busy adapting his work for this.