Obituary: Professor Richard Gregory, artificial intelligence pioneer, 86

Mr Gregory was a pioneer of human psychology, and made significant advances in the fast-changing world of artificial intelligence.

Born in London in 1923, he was the son of astronomer Christopher Gregory.

Mr Gregory spent five years in the RAF during the Second World War, after being called up at the age of 18.

After exhibiting obvious academic talent the RAF offered Mr Gregory a scholarship to study philosophy and experimental psychology at Downing College, Cambridge and after proving himself a successful scientist and inventor he moved to Edinburgh, where he took up a post as professor of bionics.

There he co-founded the Department of Machine Intelligence and Perception, the first of its kind in the UK. The department was soon recognised as a world-class centre for the study of artificial intelligence, and would take on that name.

Mr Gregory lived in Edinburgh with his wife Freja until 1970, becoming a recognised expert in his field, before leaving the city for a post in Bristol. The previous year he had been honoured by being made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

He also wrote 15 books and around 150 scientific papers. In 2000 he was awarded the Hughlings Jackson Medal of the Royal Society of Medicine, and in 1989 he was made a Commander of the British Empire by the Queen.

Friends and family of celebrated Edinburgh College of Art lecturer and graphic designer Andrew Chisholm have paid tribute to his life.

Born in Portobello, Mr Chisholm served in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany in the TA, rising to the rank of sergeant.

He met wife Connie in 1946 and just five months later they married in Edinburgh. It wouldn't be long before the first of five children was on the way.

Mr Chisholm went on to study at the Edinburgh College of Art, later becoming a part-time lecturer in illustration, lettering and calligraphy. He and Connie also set up Gryphon Press, designing corporate identities and exhibitions.

Mr Chisholm later became head of the department of visual communication, involving design, film, TV and photography. His career at the college spanned four decades, including projects for the Victoria and Albert Museum, the BBC and the Royal Edinburgh Hospitals.

His son Alasdair said his father, who is survived by his wife and children, was always willing to help and listen. "Our home was always an eccentric collection of books, printed ephemera, pottery, models and all things boating," he recalled.

"There was never a blank space on any wall."