.gif)
Derek Jackson (physicist)
Encyclopedia
Professor Derek Ainslie Jackson, FRS, DFC
, AFC
, OBE
(23 June 1906 – 20 February 1982) was a spectroscopist
.
Derek Jackson was one of the outstanding atomic physicists of his generation, but there was very little in his life that could be called conventional.
, Jackson showed early promise in the field of spectroscopy under the guidance of Professor Lindemann (Lord Cherwell), making the first spectroscopic determination of a nuclear magnetic spin
at the age of 22. MRI scanners used in medicine are based on this phenomenon.
His scientific research at Oxford
did not, however, interfere with his other great passion – steeplechase
riding – which led him from the foxhunting field to his first ride in the Grand National
in 1935. (He rode in two more Nationals after the war, the last time when he was 40 years old.)
In the second world war Jackson distinguished himself in the RAF, making an important scientific contribution to Britain’s air defences and to the bomber offensive. He flew more than a thousand hours as a navigator, many of them in combat in night-fighters, with 604 (County of Middlesex) Squadron based at Middle Wallop
. He was decorated with the DFC, AFC and OBE.
This flies in contrast with his stated desire at the war's inception to keep Britain out of fighting Germany, and his reported desire 'that all Jews in England should be killed'.
For the rest of his life Professor Jackson, appointed a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1947, lived as a tax exile
in Ireland, France and Switzerland. He continued his spectroscopic work in France at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
, and was made a Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur
.
Jackson had what might be called a colourful personal life. A 'rampant bisexual', he was married six times, and also lived for three years with the half-sister of one of his wives. The others included a daughter of Augustus John
, Pamela Mitford (one of the Mitford sisters), a princess, and the notorious femme fatale Barbara Skelton
.
By turns charming, belligerent, generous, provocative, Jackson was once described by an air vice marshal as "intensely intolerant of the second rate – and sometimes simply amusingly and outrageously intolerant". His ability to shock and amuse infuriated some of those with whom he came in contact. But it endeared to him to his many friends.
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
, AFC
Air Force Cross (United Kingdom)
The Air Force Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom Armed Forces, and formerly also to officers of the other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying, though not in active operations against the enemy"...
, OBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(23 June 1906 – 20 February 1982) was a spectroscopist
Spectroscopy
Spectroscopy is the study of the interaction between matter and radiated energy. Historically, spectroscopy originated through the study of visible light dispersed according to its wavelength, e.g., by a prism. Later the concept was expanded greatly to comprise any interaction with radiative...
.
Derek Jackson was one of the outstanding atomic physicists of his generation, but there was very little in his life that could be called conventional.
Biography
Son of a wealthy Welshman, Sir Charles Jackson, who was both a leading authority on antique silver and chairman of the News of the WorldNews of the World
The News of the World was a national red top newspaper published in the United Kingdom from 1843 to 2011. It was at one time the biggest selling English language newspaper in the world, and at closure still had one of the highest English language circulations...
, Jackson showed early promise in the field of spectroscopy under the guidance of Professor Lindemann (Lord Cherwell), making the first spectroscopic determination of a nuclear magnetic spin
Nuclear magnetic moment
The nuclear magnetic moment is the magnetic moment of an atomic nucleus and arises from the spin of the protons and neutrons. It is mainly a magnetic dipole moment; the quadrupole moment does cause some small shifts in the hyperfine structure as well....
at the age of 22. MRI scanners used in medicine are based on this phenomenon.
His scientific research at Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
did not, however, interfere with his other great passion – steeplechase
Steeplechase
Steeplechase may refer to:* Steeplechase, an event in horse racing* SteepleChase, a Danish jazz label* Steeplechase , a 1975 arcade game released by Atari...
riding – which led him from the foxhunting field to his first ride in the Grand National
Grand National
The Grand National is a world-famous National Hunt horse race which is held annually at Aintree Racecourse, near Liverpool, England. It is a handicap chase run over a distance of four miles and 856 yards , with horses jumping thirty fences over two circuits of Aintree's National Course...
in 1935. (He rode in two more Nationals after the war, the last time when he was 40 years old.)
In the second world war Jackson distinguished himself in the RAF, making an important scientific contribution to Britain’s air defences and to the bomber offensive. He flew more than a thousand hours as a navigator, many of them in combat in night-fighters, with 604 (County of Middlesex) Squadron based at Middle Wallop
Middle Wallop
Middle Wallop is the local name given to an area between the two Parishes of Over Wallop and Nether Wallop in Hampshire, England. As it does not have its own parish technically it does not exist, however road signs and maps make reference to the location and have done so since the 18th century,...
. He was decorated with the DFC, AFC and OBE.
This flies in contrast with his stated desire at the war's inception to keep Britain out of fighting Germany, and his reported desire 'that all Jews in England should be killed'.
For the rest of his life Professor Jackson, appointed a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1947, lived as a tax exile
Tax exile
A tax exile is one who chooses to leave a country with a high tax burden and instead to reside in a foreign nation or jurisdiction which takes a lower portion of earnings. Going into tax exile is a means of tax mitigation or avoidance.-Legal status:...
in Ireland, France and Switzerland. He continued his spectroscopic work in France at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
Centre national de la recherche scientifique
The National Center of Scientific Research is the largest governmental research organization in France and the largest fundamental science agency in Europe....
, and was made a Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur
Légion d'honneur
The Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the Consulat which succeeded to the First Republic, on 19 May 1802...
.
Jackson had what might be called a colourful personal life. A 'rampant bisexual', he was married six times, and also lived for three years with the half-sister of one of his wives. The others included a daughter of Augustus John
Augustus John
Augustus Edwin John OM, RA, was a Welsh painter, draughtsman, and etcher. For a short time around 1910, he was an important exponent of Post-Impressionism in the United Kingdom....
, Pamela Mitford (one of the Mitford sisters), a princess, and the notorious femme fatale Barbara Skelton
Barbara Skelton
Barbara Skelton was an English memoirist, novelist and socialite.-Background:The daughter of an army officer, she spent some of her early years in India. Her good looks allowed her to work as a model for several years. Later years found her in Yugoslavia, Egypt, the USA, Cuba and back in England...
.
By turns charming, belligerent, generous, provocative, Jackson was once described by an air vice marshal as "intensely intolerant of the second rate – and sometimes simply amusingly and outrageously intolerant". His ability to shock and amuse infuriated some of those with whom he came in contact. But it endeared to him to his many friends.
External links
See also
- Jackson profiled in Loved OnesLoved Ones (book)Loved Ones is a 1985 collection of pen portraits by Diana Mitford. It was published by Sidgwick & Jackson. In 2008, three of the portraits were republished in the collection, The Pursuit of Laughter.-Synopsis:...
, book of pen portraits by Diana MitfordDiana MitfordDiana Mitford, Lady Mosley , was one of Britain's noted Mitford sisters. She was married first to Bryan Walter Guinness, heir to the barony of Moyne, and secondly to Sir Oswald Mosley, 6th Baronet, of Ancoats, leader of the British Union of Fascists; her second marriage, in 1936, took place at the...
(former sister-in-law).