Dr Charles Robert Gibson FRSE LLD (1870-1931) was a prodigious and popular 20th century Scottish author of accessible scientific texts aimed at children.
The company owned a large shop at 153 George street in Paisley, Renfrewshire plus a factory at St Mirrens Mills.
The money allowed him to indulge his love of writing about science.
His proposers were Magnus Maclean, John Gray McKendrick, Andrew Freeland Fergus and Robert Rattray Tatlock.
Glasgow University awarded him an honorary doctorate (LLD) for his works.