Eminent British mathematician Sir Michael Atiyah broke new ground in geometry and topology with his proof of the Atiyah-Singer Index Theorem in the 1960s. This proof led to new branches of mathematics...More Eminent British mathematician Sir Michael Atiyah broke new ground in geometry and topology with his proof of the Atiyah-Singer Index Theorem in the 1960s. This proof led to new branches of mathematics being developed, including those needed to understand emerging theories like supergravity and string theory.
The late German-American physicist Hans Bethe once described himself as "the H-bomb's midwife". He left Nazi Germany in 1933, after which he helped develop the first atomic bomb, won the Nobel Prize...More The late German-American physicist Hans Bethe once described himself as "the H-bomb's midwife". He left Nazi Germany in 1933, after which he helped develop the first atomic bomb, won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1967 for his contribution to the theory of nuclear reactions, advocated tighter controls over nuclear weapons and campaigned vigorously for the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
The late Scottish pharmacologist Sir James Black revolutionised medical treatment of hypertension and angina with his invention of propranolol, the first ever beta blocker. This and his synthesis of...More The late Scottish pharmacologist Sir James Black revolutionised medical treatment of hypertension and angina with his invention of propranolol, the first ever beta blocker. This and his synthesis of cimetidine, used for the treatment of peptic ulcers, earned him the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1988.
Quentin Blake, well loved British writer and illustrator, is perhaps best known for bringing Roald Dahl's characters to life with his vibrant illustrations, and for becoming the first ever UK...More Quentin Blake, well loved British writer and illustrator, is perhaps best known for bringing Roald Dahl's characters to life with his vibrant illustrations, and for becoming the first ever UK children's laureate. He has also written and illustrated his own books including “Mr Magnolia” which won the Kate Greenaway Medal.
American research physician Baruch Blumberg was co-recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1976 along with D Carleton Gajdusek for their work on the origins and spread of infectious...More American research physician Baruch Blumberg was co-recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1976 along with D Carleton Gajdusek for their work on the origins and spread of infectious viral diseases that led to the discovery of the hepatitis B virus. Blumberg’s work covers many areas including clinical research, epidemiology, virology, genetics and anthropology.
South African Sydney Brenner was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2002. His joint discovery of messenger RNA, and, in more recent years, his development of gene cloning, sequencing...More South African Sydney Brenner was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2002. His joint discovery of messenger RNA, and, in more recent years, his development of gene cloning, sequencing and manipulation techniques along with his work for the Human Genome Project have led to his standing as a pioneer in the field of genetics and molecular biology.
British sculptor Sir Anthony Caro came to prominence in 1963 after a show at the Whitechapel Gallery. Keen to create a more direct interaction with the viewer he placed pieces directly on the ground,...More British sculptor Sir Anthony Caro came to prominence in 1963 after a show at the Whitechapel Gallery. Keen to create a more direct interaction with the viewer he placed pieces directly on the ground, rather than on plinths, a technique now widely used. He holds many honorary degrees and was knighted in 1987.
Michael Chapman, an American cinematographer, has had a huge influence on contemporary film-making, working on an impressive array of classic films including “Taxi Driver”, “Raging Bull”, “The Lost...More Michael Chapman, an American cinematographer, has had a huge influence on contemporary film-making, working on an impressive array of classic films including “Taxi Driver”, “Raging Bull”, “The Lost Boys” and “The Fugitive”.
French cinematographer, Raoul Coutard, has been nominated twice for the César Award for best cinematography which he won in 1978 for “Le Crabe-tambour”. He has made over 75 films and documentaries,...More French cinematographer, Raoul Coutard, has been nominated twice for the César Award for best cinematography which he won in 1978 for “Le Crabe-tambour”. He has made over 75 films and documentaries, including “À Bout de Souffle", “Le Mépris" and “Band à Part”. He remains the most acclaimed French cinematographer of his generation and one of the key figures of the New Wave.
The late Francis Crick, one of Britain's most famous scientists, won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1962. He is best known for his discovery, jointly with James Watson and Maurice...More The late Francis Crick, one of Britain's most famous scientists, won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1962. He is best known for his discovery, jointly with James Watson and Maurice Wilkins, of the double helix structure of DNA, though he also made important contributions in understanding the genetic code and was exploring the basis of consciousness in the years leading up to his death in 2004.
Recognised as the greatest living horologist and one of the greatest watchmakers of all time, George Daniels is known for his invention of the co-axial escapement. This was the first major mechanical...More Recognised as the greatest living horologist and one of the greatest watchmakers of all time, George Daniels is known for his invention of the co-axial escapement. This was the first major mechanical improvement in watch design for 500 years.
Christian de Duve is a Belgian biochemist, best known for his work on understanding and categorising subcellular organelles. He won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1974 for his joint...More Christian de Duve is a Belgian biochemist, best known for his work on understanding and categorising subcellular organelles. He won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1974 for his joint discovery of lysosomes, the subcellular organelles that digest macromolecules and deal with ingested bacteria.
Austrian-American Carl Djerassi is best known for his work on the synthesis of the steroid cortisone and then of a progesterone derivative that was the basis of the first contraceptive pill. He has...More Austrian-American Carl Djerassi is best known for his work on the synthesis of the steroid cortisone and then of a progesterone derivative that was the basis of the first contraceptive pill. He has written a number of books, plays and poems, in the process inventing a new genre, 'science-in-fiction', illustrated by the novel “Cantor's Dilemma” which explores ethics in science.
The Italian biologist Renato Dulbecco had early success isolating a mutant of the polio virus which was used to create a life-saving vaccine. Later in his career, he initiated the Human Genome Project...More The Italian biologist Renato Dulbecco had early success isolating a mutant of the polio virus which was used to create a life-saving vaccine. Later in his career, he initiated the Human Genome Project and was jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1975 for furthering our understanding of cancer caused by viruses.
British-American Freeman Dyson is as famous for his work on theoretical physics as for his thoughts on the possibility of intelligent extraterrestrial life forms. He has published several books and,...More British-American Freeman Dyson is as famous for his work on theoretical physics as for his thoughts on the possibility of intelligent extraterrestrial life forms. He has published several books and, among other honours, has been awarded the Heineman Prize and the Royal Society's Hughes Medal.
US biologist Gerald Edelman successfully constructed a precise model of an antibody, a protein used by the body to neutralise harmful bacteria or viruses, and it was this work that won him the Nobel...More US biologist Gerald Edelman successfully constructed a precise model of an antibody, a protein used by the body to neutralise harmful bacteria or viruses, and it was this work that won him the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1972, jointly with Rodney R Porter. He then turned his attention to neuroscience, focusing on neural Darwinism, an influential theory of brain function.
Marek Edelman was a Jewish-Polish political and social activist and a noted cardiologist. He was the last surviving leader of the 1943 uprising in the Warsaw Ghetto. Following the Second World War,...More Marek Edelman was a Jewish-Polish political and social activist and a noted cardiologist. He was the last surviving leader of the 1943 uprising in the Warsaw Ghetto. Following the Second World War, he took an active part in Polish and international politics, dedicating himself to championing humanity’s universal right to freedom from oppression.
Nobel Prize winning German biophysicist Manfred Eigen is best known for his work on fast chemical reactions and his development of ways to accurately measure them down to the nearest billionth of a...More Nobel Prize winning German biophysicist Manfred Eigen is best known for his work on fast chemical reactions and his development of ways to accurately measure them down to the nearest billionth of a second. He has published over 100 papers with topics ranging from hydrogen bridges of nucleic acids through to the storage of information in the central nervous system.
The late Hungarian-American film-maker Jules Engel is best known for his contribution to the field of animation. His work includes the dance sequences in Walt Disney's “Fantasia” and the creation of...More The late Hungarian-American film-maker Jules Engel is best known for his contribution to the field of animation. His work includes the dance sequences in Walt Disney's “Fantasia” and the creation of “Mr Magoo”. His films and lithographs are housed in museums all over the world and have won many awards.
Eugene Garfield is an American scientist and publisher. In 1960 Garfield set up the Institute for Scientific Information which produced, among many other things, the Science Citation Index and...More Eugene Garfield is an American scientist and publisher. In 1960 Garfield set up the Institute for Scientific Information which produced, among many other things, the Science Citation Index and fulfilled his dream of a multidisciplinary citation index. The impact of this is incalculable: without Garfield’s pioneering work, the field of scientometrics would have a very different landscape, and the study of scholarly communication would be considerably poorer.
