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Sir Harry Kroto (1939–2016): In memory

ith the passing of Harry Kroto, of the most cited in chemistry. Let us Wwe have lost a great friend of sci- not forget that carbon nanotubes, which ence, admired by a large community of later became the subject of signifi cant scientists, teachers, and students. He had research, are extended fullerenes. The been affected by a neural disorder, but current explosion in carbon nanoscience remained active until recently. When a research, including graphene, has roots in special symposium to mark the 30th this discovery of fullerenes. anniversary of the discovery of fullerenes His family came to the UK as refu- was held in London in July 2015, Harry gees from Germany in the 1930s. Harry was there, presenting a lecture—fully was born in Wisbech in Cambridgeshire engaged. No one could have guessed that on October 7, 1939, in the fi rst month of the end would come so soon. World War II. The family later moved to I have known Harry for many years. Bolton, where Harry grew up and went We were both spectroscopists in the to school. He attended The University of early days, and I used to see Harry at Sheffi eld for his undergraduate degree Fellow of The Royal Society and was spectroscopy meetings. As a spectros- and, subsequently, carried out research a Royal Society Research Professor. He copist, he became interested in looking for his PhD degree with Richard Dixon. also received many other honors, includ- at long-chain carbon molecules; he felt He then went to the National Research ing the Copley Medal of The Royal such molecules existed in outer space. He Council, Canada, and Bell Laboratories Society. He was knighted in 1996. visited the laboratory of Richard Smalley in the United States for postdoctoral Science communication was one of in Texas to look for such molecules in work. Harry took a faculty position at his main missions, particularly in the last carbon vapor employing mass spec- the University of Sussex after return- few years of his life. Harry’s interest in trometry. This resulted in the discovery ing to Britain and became a professor in science communication for the younger of C60 and C70 and the fullerene family 1985. He raised the level of science in generation as well as for common citi- of carbon. The discovery of fullerenes Sussex, contributing to various aspects zens was contagious. His contributions changed carbon chemistry. It added a new of research and education at the univer- to this activity are truly remarkable. He dimension to nanoscience. It also became sity. The discovery of fullerenes made was a great communicator and a show- a popular and exciting fi eld of research. him and the university famous. man and gave wonderful lectures to The article on fullerenes published by Harry received the 1996 Nobel children. He was partly responsible for Kroto et al. (Kroto, Heath, O’Brien, Curl, Prize in Chemistry along with Richard the creation of the Vega Science Trust Smalley, Nature 318, 162 [1985]) is one Smalley and Robert Curl. He was a to produce science fi lms for television. Harry was also outspoken on many issues related to society and humanity. Harry passed away on April 30, 2016.

Mass Spectrum of Flame Gases, Ionized with 308 nm He is survived by his wife Margaret and two sons. 1000 Time-of-fl ight mass C.N.R. Rao spectrum of carbon National Research Professor

a.u.) clusters obtained by laser ionization and Linus Pauling Research Professor 60 of a fl ame showing C & Honorary President, Jawaharlal Intensity ( 500 70 formation of C60, C

50 Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientifi c C70, and C50 C molecules. Research in Bangalore, India.

Editor’s Note: Harry Kroto and C.N.R. Rao were Guest Editors 0 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 of a MRS Bulletin theme issue on “Fullerenes” published in Mass (a.m.u.) November 1994 (http://journals.cambridge.org/action/display Issue?jid=MRS&volumeId=19&seriesId=0&issueId=11).

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