Urquhart, Donald John (1909–1994)

English scientist and librarian who was instrumental in establishing a national library service in Britain. His efforts led to the founding of the British Library Lending Division, which facilitates inter-library loans nationwide.

Urquhart was educated at Sheffield University, where he graduated in physics and gained a doctorate in metallurgy. In 1961 he was made director of the National Lending Library for Science and Technology in Yorkshire. Gradually all subject fields came to be incorporated into the inter-library loan scheme. Urquhart retired as director-general of the British Library Lending Services in 1974.