Gosper, James Murray (JM)

James Murray Gosper was born in Sydney on 23 September 1903. He was educated at Sydney Grammar School, from where he matriculated in November 1923. He enrolled in engineering at Sydney University in 1924 and was awarded his Bachelor of Engineering in 1932.

Gosper was very active in student affairs, as well as representing his college, St.Andrew's, and the University in rifle shooting, for which he was awarded a 'blue', and in athletics. Gosper was on the Committee of the Undergraduates Association, forerunner to the Students Representative Council (SRC), from 1925 to 1929. He was also on the Union Board of Directors from 1929 to 1932, and active in the Engineering Students Association.

When 'Honi Soit' began publication in 1929, Gosper was sports editor and chief of staff under the editor, Arthur Crouch. These two men, along with PT Millard, were actively involved in campaigning for the establishment of a properly representative undergraduate body, following an incident during Commemoration Week that year. The proposed constitution of the new body made membership compulsory and it was approved by a meeting of undergraduates on 8 November 1929. The constitution and compulsory membership were approved by the Senate on 9 December 1929 and the SRC came into being, with 'Honi Soit' as its official newspaper. Gosper was elected as first President of the SRC, with AB Edwards and Evanne Wood as vice-presidents.

Gosper was also active in the re-structuring of the Appointments Board in 1934, and in the formation of the Graduates Association during the period 1935-38. When a standing committee of Convocation was established in 1939 as a result of the moves to establish the Graduates Association, Gosper was elected its first Honorary Secretary. He is the only student to have a University road named after him: Gosper Lane which runs between old Geology and the Macleay building.