DOCSLIB.ORG

Max Perutz (1914–2002)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Max Perutz (1914–2002) PERSONAL NEWS NEWS Max Perutz (1914–2002) Max Perutz died on 6 February 2002. He Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1962 with structure is more relevant now than ever won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in his colleague and his first student John as we turn attention to the smallest 1962 after determining the molecular Kendrew for their work on the structure building blocks of life to make sense of structure of haemoglobin, the red protein of haemoglobin (Perutz) and myoglobin the human genome and mechanisms of in blood that carries oxygen from the (Kendrew). He was one of the greatest disease.’ lungs to the body tissues. Perutz attemp- ambassadors of science, scientific method Perutz described his work thus: ted to understand the riddle of life in the and philosophy. Apart from being a great ‘Between September 1936 and May 1937 structure of proteins and peptides. He scientist, he was a very kindly and Zwicky took 300 or more photographs in founded one of Britain’s most successful tolerant person who loved young people which he scanned between 5000 and research institutes, the Medical Research and was passionately committed towards 10,000 nebular images for new stars. Council Laboratory of Molecular Bio- societal problems, social justice and This led him to the discovery of one logy (LMB) in Cambridge. intellectual honesty. His passion was to supernova, revealing the final dramatic Max Perutz was born in Vienna in communicate science to the public and moment in the death of a star. Zwicky 1914. He came from a family of textile he continuously lectured to scientists could say, like Ferdinand in The Tempest manufacturers and went to the Theresium both young and old, in schools, colleges, when he had to hew wood: School, named after Empress Maria universities and research institutes. On For some sports are painful Theresa. His parents wanted him to study his death, George Radda of the Medical and the labour law after school and later take over the Research Council said: ‘The world will Delight in them sets off; family business. A schoolmaster kindled some kinds of baseness his interest in chemistry, which he took Are nobly undergone, and up as a subject of study in the University most poor matters of Vienna. He specialized in organic Point to rich ends. This my mean task chemistry, biochemistry and glaciology Would be as heavy to me as odious; but (because he was madly interested in The mistress which I serve skiing). With financial help from his quickens what’s dead father he went to the Cavendish Labo- And makes my labours pleasures. ratory, Cambridge and joined Peterhouse College. He became a research student of The heavens were Zwicky’s mistress, J. D. Bernal, whom Perutz described as and mine was haemoglobin, the protein ‘a restless genius, always searching for of the red blood cells. As part of my some of the very important things to do attempt to solve its structure, I took rather than the work he was doing at that several hundred X-ray diffraction pic- moment’. tures of haemoglobin crystals, each By then Bernal, along with Dorothy taking two hours’ exposure. I took some Crowfoot Hodgkin, had already taken X- of the pictures during World War II, ray diffraction photographs of the pro- when I had to spend nights in the teins, pepsin and insulin. Bernal taught laboratory to be prepared to extinguish him that ‘the riddle of life was to be be mourning the loss of one of the 20th incendiary bombs in the event of a found in the structure of proteins and X- century’s scientific giants. Perutz’s German air raid. I used these nights to ray crystallography was the only way to achievements paved the way for others to get up every two hours, turn my crystal solve it’. unravel the shape of other large, complex by a few degrees, develop the exposed Perutz, on Bernal’s advice, first learnt proteins. His role in the development of films and insert a new pack of films into the techniques of X-ray crystallography the science of molecular biology was the cassette. When all the photographs analysis in the Department of Minera- pivotal, and led directly to the emergence had been taken, the real labour began. logy and Petrology, where he tried his of the modern biotechnology sector and Each of them contained several hundred hand on some silicate structures. After more efficient ways of creating and test- little black spots whose degree of black- this, he turned his attention to proteins ing new drugs. Perutz undertook his ness I had to measure by eye, one by one. and chose to study the structure of work at the Cavendish Laboratories in After six years of this labour, when the haemoglobin as it is a protein abundantly Cambridge, UK, before moving to the data were finally complete, a London found in the human body and was newly set-up Laboratory of Molecular firm processed them with a prehistoric, extremely easy to crystallize. Biology (LMB), which he chaired until mechanical punch card computer that Perutz was the first Chairman (1962– 1979. The LMB became a hotbed of res- produced an output of thousands of 79) of the Medical Research Council earch, producing nine Nobel laureates numbers. These numbers outlined not a Laboratory for Molecular Biology, Cam- since the 1950s. The impact of Perutz’s picture of the structure I was trying to bridge. He was Reader of Chemistry at work remains a foundation on which solve, but a mathematical abstraction of the Davy Faraday Research Laboratory, science is being undertaken today. His it: the directions and lengths of all the 25 London (1956–67). Perutz shared the Nobel prize-winning work on protein million lines between the 5000 atoms in 586 CURRENT SCIENCE, VOL. 82, NO. 5, 10 MARCH 2002 PERSONAL NEWS the haemoglobin molecule radiating from that Crick and Watson (with Maurice of Bijvoet, who had also suggested that a common origin. I scanned the maps Wilkins) won the prize for medicine – structures could be solved using the eagerly for interpretable features and was but in the early 1950s all these men were multi-isomorphous replacement method. elated when they seemed to tell me that unknown, achievements unrecognized, Perutz frankly admitted to her that he the molecule consists simply of bundles seeking how to use the techniques of had missed this in Bijvoet’s paper and he of parallel chains of atoms spaced apart physics and chemistry to understand the was roundly chided by Dorothy Hodgkin at equal intervals.’ nature of biological matter. that ‘when a paper is written by a person ’Shortly after my results appeared in There were other remarkable people in like Bijvoet, you must read each word print, a new graduate student joined me. the group. Hugh Huxley studied under and sentence very very carefully’. Using As his first job, he performed a cal- Perutz using the primitive electron micro- the multiple isomorphous replacement culation which proved that no more than scopes then in existence. With brilliant method and also the anomalous scattering a small fraction of the haemoglobin insight, they decided that Huxley should method (also suggested by Bijvoet), molecule was made up of the bundles of study the muscle, an object ideally Perutz and his group could solve the parallel chains that I had persuaded matched to the powers of the micro- structure of haemoglobin. myself to see, and that my results, the scope. In his doctoral thesis in 1954, When Lawrence Bragg was in Chennai fruits of years of tedious labour, pro- Huxley laid out the basic mechanism of I had invited him home for dinner and I vided no other clue to its structure. It was muscle contraction. And Perutz’s bio- asked how he had started protein crystal- a heartbreaking instance of patience chemical assistant, Vernon Ingram, was lography and molecular biology in Cam- wasted, an ever-present risk in scientific to discover the precise molecular nature bridge. He said: ‘Once a young man with research. That graduate student was of sickle-cell disease a couple of years balding head and high domed forehead Francis Crick, later famous for his part in later – a change of one amino acid in came in with a film in his hand. He said, the solution of the structure of DNA.’ haemoglobin which we now recognize as “I would like you to see the X-ray Perutz communicated ideas with extra- the consequence of a single mutation. photograph that I have taken of haemo- ordinary clarity and simplicity. Though The group first came into prominence globin”. It was an extraordinary photo- he retained a strong accent when speak- with the achievement of the two young graph with clear spots. He also told me ing, his written English was always ele- rebels – Crick and Watson’s analysis of that he had introduced a heavy atom of gant, compelling and stimulating. He DNA in 1953 revealed an exquisite struc- mercury into haemoglobin and crys- seemed to write with a golden pen. He ture whose fascinating implications caught tallized it and he was at present taking had a wonderful way of leading research, the imagination immediately. Meanwhile X-ray photographs. It looked as if the leaving his staff with the feeling they Perutz’s own research (and that of Ken- mercury haemoglobin was isomorphous were free to decide their own way drew) had got stuck. The methods of X- with ordinary haemoglobin. It was then I forward, while he created a vision of the ray crystallography had been used to made up my mind that we should go in long-term goals.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Vernon M. Ingram the WILLIAM ALLAN MEMORIAL AWARD Presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Human Genetics Toronto December 1, 1967
    Vernon M. Ingram THE WILLIAM ALLAN MEMORIAL AWARD Presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Human Genetics Toronto December 1, 1967 CITATION The contributions for which we honor Vernon Ingram represent a landmark in the history of molecular biology. Using an ingenious technique, he showed in 1956 that the difference between normal and sickle hemoglobin was caused by a single amino acid substitution. This work, followed by his demonstration of a similar mechanism for hemoglobin C and hemo- globin E, established clearly the nature of mutations in structural proteins and laid the groundwork for our concepts of gene action on the molecular level. 287 288 THE WILLIAM ALLAN MEMORIAL AWARD Vernon Ingram's investigations played a key role in the full integration of human genetics into the mainstream of modern genetic research. For the first time in the history of genetics, a phenomenon of fundamental significance for all forms of life was first demonstrated in man. Human genetics had come of age and became respectable to our more basically inclined colleagues. Vernon Ingram, as a scientist, represents a model for our students. Some investigators are analytical, while others are synthesizers and paint a broad sweep. Some are lone workers, others perform better in a team. Most biologists work in one field-within the framework of Ingram's interests, either as biochemists, as hematologists, as geneticists, or as evolutionists. Vernon Ingram has performed with versatility and distinction in all of these roles. As an analytical chemist, he developed the "fingerprinting" method of peptide separation, which he used to test theories of mutations.
    [Show full text]
  • Sequencing As a Way of Work
    Edinburgh Research Explorer A new insight into Sanger’s development of sequencing Citation for published version: Garcia-Sancho, M 2010, 'A new insight into Sanger’s development of sequencing: From proteins to DNA, 1943-77', Journal of the History of Biology, vol. 43, no. 2, pp. 265-323. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10739-009- 9184-1 Digital Object Identifier (DOI): 10.1007/s10739-009-9184-1 Link: Link to publication record in Edinburgh Research Explorer Document Version: Peer reviewed version Published In: Journal of the History of Biology Publisher Rights Statement: © Garcia-Sancho, M. (2010). A new insight into Sanger’s development of sequencing: From proteins to DNA, 1943-77. Journal of the History of Biology, 43(2), 265-323. 10.1007/s10739-009-9184-1 General rights Copyright for the publications made accessible via the Edinburgh Research Explorer is retained by the author(s) and / or other copyright owners and it is a condition of accessing these publications that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights. Take down policy The University of Edinburgh has made every reasonable effort to ensure that Edinburgh Research Explorer content complies with UK legislation. If you believe that the public display of this file breaches copyright please contact [email protected] providing details, and we will remove access to the work immediately and investigate your claim. Download date: 28. Sep. 2021 THIS IS AN ADVANCED DRAFT OF A PUBLISHED PAPER. REFERENCES AND QUOTATIONS SHOULD ALWAYS BE MADE TO THE PUBLISHED VERION, WHICH CAN BE FOUND AT: García-Sancho M.
    [Show full text]
  • Cambridge's 92 Nobel Prize Winners Part 2 - 1951 to 1974: from Crick and Watson to Dorothy Hodgkin
    Cambridge's 92 Nobel Prize winners part 2 - 1951 to 1974: from Crick and Watson to Dorothy Hodgkin By Cambridge News | Posted: January 18, 2016 By Adam Care The News has been rounding up all of Cambridge's 92 Nobel Laureates, celebrating over 100 years of scientific and social innovation. ADVERTISING In this installment we move from 1951 to 1974, a period which saw a host of dramatic breakthroughs, in biology, atomic science, the discovery of pulsars and theories of global trade. It's also a period which saw The Eagle pub come to national prominence and the appearance of the first female name in Cambridge University's long Nobel history. The Gender Pay Gap Sale! Shop Online to get 13.9% off From 8 - 11 March, get 13.9% off 1,000s of items, it highlights the pay gap between men & women in the UK. Shop the Gender Pay Gap Sale – now. Promoted by Oxfam 1. 1951 Ernest Walton, Trinity College: Nobel Prize in Physics, for using accelerated particles to study atomic nuclei 2. 1951 John Cockcroft, St John's / Churchill Colleges: Nobel Prize in Physics, for using accelerated particles to study atomic nuclei Walton and Cockcroft shared the 1951 physics prize after they famously 'split the atom' in Cambridge 1932, ushering in the nuclear age with their particle accelerator, the Cockcroft-Walton generator. In later years Walton returned to his native Ireland, as a fellow of Trinity College Dublin, while in 1951 Cockcroft became the first master of Churchill College, where he died 16 years later. 3. 1952 Archer Martin, Peterhouse: Nobel Prize in Chemistry, for developing partition chromatography 4.
    [Show full text]
  • The Good Advisor
    F A L L 2 0 1 6 VO LU ME XXVIII ISSUE III A Plan That Works: Year-End Gift Solutions During World War II, the limited range of Allied air- Sometimes, Basic is Best craft left the north Atlantic painfully unprotected from A simple gift can accomplish significant goals. By German U-boats, which were able to control vital ship- taking advantage of clearly established income tax rules, ping lanes. While military strategists pondered the prob- donors can make noteworthy gifts that also contribute to lem, an eccentric inventor named Geoffrey Pyke came their personal finances. up with a novel idea to extend the range of air power— building an aircraft carrier out of ice. His theory: ice is Gift Annuities cheap, buoyant, durable (especially when mixed with A charitable gift annuity is simply a contract between wood fibers), and able to withstand torpedoes with mini- a donor and a qualified charity. A donor exchanges mal and easily repairable damage. After selling Winston cash or property (often long-term appreciated assets) Churchill on the idea, plans for building the ship pro- for a lifetime of income paid to one or two annuitants. ceeded under the name Project Habbakuk.1 Donors like gift annuities because they are easy to Unfortunately, while ingeniously designed, the ice ship understand and execute. Moreover, donors who want would have been slow and difficult to steer. What’s more, to make a series of smaller gifts over time can choose to planning for the project took so long that more conven- “ladder” multiple annuities.
    [Show full text]
  • Cold Comfort High-Temperature Superconductors
    NEWS & VIEWS LaSr2Mn2O7, which has recently received signifi cant attention due to its colossal magnetoresistance, MATERIAL WITNESS charge compensation is achieved by the ability of the manganese atom to participate in the compound either as Mn3+ or as Mn4+. Another example is oxide Cold comfort high-temperature superconductors. In these, the The use of ice formation to produce induction of hole-type charge carriers in the so-called biomimetic microstructures in infi nite layer CuO2/Ca/CuO2 subunits either by a ceramic materials (S. Deville et al. variable oxygen content or by the partial substitution Science 311, 515–518; 2006) is not of cations with a lower valence in the doping layers only an ingenious exploitation of guarantees charge neutrality. Similar to the charged spontaneous self-organization, but a mixed-valence TiO2 layer at the n-type LaAlO3/SrTiO3 reminder of the potential value of ice 2 heterointerface , the occurrence of conducting CuO2 to materials scientists. layers in high-temperature superconductors is based Deville and colleagues show that the crystallization of on the ability of the Cu cation to vary its formal ice platelets as water freezes, coupled with the expulsion valence from less than +2 to about +2.4. Th erefore the of solute particles from the ice phase, can be exploited method of atomic-scale EELS analysis successfully to create porous and lamellar structures toughened in demonstrated by Nakagawa et al. also off ers invaluable the same way as natural hard materials such as nacre. potential for the investigation of the charge transfer The researchers froze concentrated suspensions of within these naturally layered oxide materials.
    [Show full text]
  • Perutz Letters
    04_PerutzLet_1950_223-272.qxd:Layout 1 1/12/09 12:26 PM Page 261 Copyright 2009 Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press. Not for distribution. Do not copy without written permission from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press. Selected Letters: 1950s 261 To Harold Himsworth, August 24, 1956 I am writing to tell you of exciting developments in the work of our unit. The first news is the discovery by Dr. Vernon Ingram of a definite chemi- cal difference between the globins of sickle cell anaemia and normal haemo- globin. Ingram has devised a new and rapid method of characterising proteins in considerable detail. This consists in first digesting the protein with trypsin and then spreading out the peptides of the digest on a two-dimensional chro- matogram, using electrophoresis in one direction and chromatography in the other. By applying this method to the two haemoglobins Ingram finds that all the 30 odd peptides in the digest are alike except for a single one. This peptide is uncharged in normal haemoglobin and carries a positive charge in haemo- globin S. The size of the peptide is probably of the order of 10 amino-acid residues. Ingram is now going to set about to determine the composition and sequence of the residues in the two peptides. This discovery is particularly interesting, Vernon Ingram in the because the change in structure from normal to early 1950s sickle cell haemoglobin is thought to be due to the action of one single gene, and the action of genes is thought to consist in determining the sequence of residues in a polypeptide chain.
    [Show full text]
  • Crystal Vision Dorothy Hodgkin & the Nobel Prize “Few Were Her Equal in Generosity of Spirit, Breadth of Mind, Cultivated Humaneness, Or Gift for Giving
    Crystal Vision Dorothy Hodgkin & the Nobel Prize “Few were her equal in generosity of spirit, breadth of mind, cultivated humaneness, or gift for giving. She should be remembered not only for a lifetime’s succession of brilliantly achieved structures. While those who knew her, experienced her quiet and modest and extremely powerful influence, learned from her more than the positioning of atoms in the three-dimensional molecule, she will be remembered not only with respect, and reverence, and gratitude, but more than anything else, with love. Let that be her lasting memorial.” Anne Sayre, in the Autumn 1995 Newsletter of the American Crystallographic Association Cover image © Emilio Segre Visual Archives/American Institute of Physics/Science Photo Library Letter from the Principal Dr Alice Prochaska, Somerville College Many remarkable woman scientists have passed through Somerville, but few rival Dorothy Hodgkin, whose path-breaking work in crystallography showed a mind not only attuned to high science but one also able to envision a crystal structure from the pattern made by its X-ray diffraction. Her ability to ‘see’ molecules such as cholesterol, penicillin, vitamin B and insulin transformed her field. 2014 sees the fiftieth anniversary of Professor Hodgkin’s Nobel prize. It is also the International Year of Crystallography, marking the 100th anniversary of Max von Laue’s Nobel Prize for Physics, awarded for his discovery that X-rays could be diffracted by crystals. That discovery underpinned Dorothy Hodgkin’s work. We are proud that Somerville supported her at a time when there was widespread opposition to married women pursuing academic careers.
    [Show full text]
  • RSC Branding
    Royal Society of Chemistry National Chemical Landmarks Award Honouree Location Inscription Date The Institute of Cancer Research, Chester ICR scientists on this site and elsewhere pioneered numerous new cancer drugs from 10 Institute of Cancer Beatty Laboratories, 237 the 1950s until the present day – including the discovery of chemotherapy drug December Research Fulham Road, Chelsea carboplatin, prostate cancer drug abiraterone and the genetic targeting of olaparib for 2018 Road, London, SW3 ovarian and breast cancer. 6JB, UK The Institute of Cancer ICR scientists on this site and elsewhere pioneered numerous new cancer drugs from 10 Research, Royal Institute of Cancer the 1950s until the present day – including the discovery of chemotherapy drug December Marsden Hospital, 15 Research carboplatin, prostate cancer drug abiraterone and the genetic targeting of olaparib for 2018 Cotswold Road, Sutton, ovarian and breast cancer. London, SM2 5NG, UK Ape and Apple, 28-30 John Dalton Street was opened in 1846 by Manchester Corporation in honour of 26 October John Dalton Street, famous chemist, John Dalton, who in Manchester in 1803 developed the Atomic John Dalton 2016 Manchester, M2 6HQ, Theory which became the foundation of modern chemistry. President of Manchester UK Literary and Philosophical Society 1816-1844. Chemical structure of Near this site in 1903, James Colquhoun Irvine, Thomas Purdie and their team found 30 College Gate, North simple sugars, James a way to understand the chemical structure of simple sugars like glucose and lactose. September Street, St Andrews, Fife, Colquhoun Irvine and Over the next 18 years this allowed them to lay the foundations of modern 2016 KY16 9AJ, UK Thomas Purdie carbohydrate chemistry, with implications for medicine, nutrition and biochemistry.
    [Show full text]
  • Max Ferdinand Perutz 1914–2002
    OBITUARY Max Ferdinand Perutz 1914–2002 Max Ferdinand Perutz, who died on in the MRC Laboratory of Molecular 6 February, will be remembered as Biology, which has grown to house one of the 20th century’s scientific over 400 people. He published over giants. Often referred to as the ‘fa- 100 papers and articles during his re- ther of molecular biology’, his work tirement. Once asked why he didn’t re- remains one of the foundations on tire at 65 he replied that he was tied up which science is being built today. in some very interesting research at Born in Vienna in 1914, Max was the time. Until the Friday before educated in the Theresianum, a Christmas, he was active in the lab al- grammar school originating from most every day, submitting his last an earlier Officers’ academy. His paper just a few days before then. parents suggested that he study law Max’s scientific interests ranged far to prepare for entering the family beyond medical research. As a sideline, business, but he chose to study he also worked on glaciers in his chemistry at the University of youth. He studied the transformation Vienna. of snowflakes that fall on glaciers into In 1936, with financial support the huge single ice crystals that make from his father, he began a PhD at the Cavendish up its bulk, and the relationship between the mechanical Laboratory in Cambridge. Using X-ray crystallography he properties of ice measured in the laboratory and the mecha- aimed to determine the structure of hemoglobin. But the nism of glacier flow.
    [Show full text]
  • Robert Burns Woodward
    The Life and Achievements of Robert Burns Woodward Long Literature Seminar July 13, 2009 Erika A. Crane “The structure known, but not yet accessible by synthesis, is to the chemist what the unclimbed mountain, the uncharted sea, the untilled field, the unreached planet, are to other men. The achievement of the objective in itself cannot but thrill all chemists, who even before they know the details of the journey can apprehend from their own experience the joys and elations, the disappointments and false hopes, the obstacles overcome, the frustrations subdued, which they experienced who traversed a road to the goal. The unique challenge which chemical synthesis provides for the creative imagination and the skilled hand ensures that it will endure as long as men write books, paint pictures, and fashion things which are beautiful, or practical, or both.” “Art and Science in the Synthesis of Organic Compounds: Retrospect and Prospect,” in Pointers and Pathways in Research (Bombay:CIBA of India, 1963). Robert Burns Woodward • Graduated from MIT with his Ph.D. in chemistry at the age of 20 Woodward taught by example and captivated • A tenured professor at Harvard by the age of 29 the young... “Woodward largely taught principles and values. He showed us by • Published 196 papers before his death at age example and precept that if anything is worth 62 doing, it should be done intelligently, intensely • Received 24 honorary degrees and passionately.” • Received 26 medals & awards including the -Daniel Kemp National Medal of Science in 1964, the Nobel Prize in 1965, and he was one of the first recipients of the Arthur C.
    [Show full text]
  • Genetic Testing
    GENETIC TESTING The transcript of a Witness Seminar held by the Wellcome Trust Centre for the History of Medicine at UCL, London, on 13 July 2001 Edited by D A Christie and E M Tansey Volume 17 2003 CONTENTS Illustrations v Introduction Professor Peter Harper vii Acknowledgements ix Witness Seminars: Meetings and publications xi E M Tansey and D A Christie Transcript Edited by D A Christie and E M Tansey 1 References 73 Biographical notes 91 Glossary 105 Index 115 ILLUSTRATIONS Figure 1 Triploid cells in a human embryo, 1961. 20 Figure 2 The use of FISH with DNA probes from the X and Y chromosomes to sex human embryos. 62 v vi INTRODUCTION Genetic testing is now such a widespread and important part of medicine that it is hard to realize that it has almost all emerged during the past 30 years, with most of the key workers responsible for the discoveries and development of the field still living and active. This alone makes it a suitable subject for a Witness Seminar but there are others that increase its value, notably the fact that a high proportion of the critical advances took place in the UK; not just the basic scientific research, but also the initial applications in clinical practice, particularly those involving inherited disorders. To see these topics discussed by the people who were actually involved in their creation makes fascinating reading; for myself it is tinged with regret at having been unable to attend and contribute to the seminar, but with some compensation from being able to look at the contributions more objectively than can a participant.
    [Show full text]
  • Guides to the Royal Institution of Great Britain: 1 HISTORY
    Guides to the Royal Institution of Great Britain: 1 HISTORY Theo James presenting a bouquet to HM The Queen on the occasion of her bicentenary visit, 7 December 1999. by Frank A.J.L. James The Director, Susan Greenfield, looks on Front page: Façade of the Royal Institution added in 1837. Watercolour by T.H. Shepherd or more than two hundred years the Royal Institution of Great The Royal Institution was founded at a meeting on 7 March 1799 at FBritain has been at the centre of scientific research and the the Soho Square house of the President of the Royal Society, Joseph popularisation of science in this country. Within its walls some of the Banks (1743-1820). A list of fifty-eight names was read of gentlemen major scientific discoveries of the last two centuries have been made. who had agreed to contribute fifty guineas each to be a Proprietor of Chemists and physicists - such as Humphry Davy, Michael Faraday, a new John Tyndall, James Dewar, Lord Rayleigh, William Henry Bragg, INSTITUTION FOR DIFFUSING THE KNOWLEDGE, AND FACILITATING Henry Dale, Eric Rideal, William Lawrence Bragg and George Porter THE GENERAL INTRODUCTION, OF USEFUL MECHANICAL - carried out much of their major research here. The technological INVENTIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS; AND FOR TEACHING, BY COURSES applications of some of this research has transformed the way we OF PHILOSOPHICAL LECTURES AND EXPERIMENTS, THE APPLICATION live. Furthermore, most of these scientists were first rate OF SCIENCE TO THE COMMON PURPOSES OF LIFE. communicators who were able to inspire their audiences with an appreciation of science.
    [Show full text]