Edward Victor Appleton
Sir Edward Victor Appleton (1892–1965), physicist
1892 September 6th. Appleton was born in Bradford, West Yorkshire
Educated at Hanson Grammar School.
1910 Won a scholarship to St John's College, Cambridge and graduated with a first class degree in Natural Sciences.
During the First World War he joined the West Riding Regiment, and later transferred to the Royal Engineers.
After returning from active service in World War I, Appleton became assistant demonstrator in experimental physics at the Cavendish Laboratory in 1920.
1924-36 Professor of physics at King's College London
1936-39 Professor of natural philosophy at Cambridge University
1939-49 he was secretary of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.
1941 Knighted
1947 Nobel Prize in Physics for his contributions to the knowledge of the ionosphere, which led to the development of radar.
1949-65 Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh.
In 1956, the BBC invited him to deliver the annual Reith Lectures. Across a series of six radio broadcasts, titled Science and the Nation, Appleton explored the many facets of scientific activity in Britain at the time.
1965 April 21st. Died
In 1974 the Radio and Space Research Station at Ditton Park, Bucks, was renamed the Appleton Laboratory