Derman Christopherson
Encyclopedia
Sir Derman Guy Christopherson OBE FRS FREng (6 September 1915 – 7 November 2000) was a British
engineering science academic.
He was born the son of a clergyman, Derman Christopherson (the vicar of Plumstead
in southeast London
), and Edith Frances
Christopherson. Soon afterwards, the Christopherson family moved to Porlock
in Devon
, where his father was vicar of Clovelly
. As a boy, Christopherson suffered from asthma
. He was educated privately until, at age 14, he was sent to Sherborne School
in Dorset
.
He gained a scholarship at University College, Oxford
, initially to read Mathematics
. Later, in 1937, he achieved a first class degree in Engineering Science. The following year he went to Harvard University
in the USA as a Henry Fellow, gaining an SM
masters degree in 1938.
He returned to Oxford University as a research assistant to Sir Richard Southwell FRS, working on numerical methods for applied mechanics
. He contributed to Southwell's relaxation method
. Christopherson was the first to apply the method in the solution of field differential equation
s, which later became the most important application. He gained his DPhil in 1941.
In 1941, during World War II
, Christopherson was appointed as a Scientific Officer in the Ministry of Home Security
, working in the
research and experimental department with Sir Reginald Stradling. His work involved investigating the effects of explosives on buildings, shelters, and firefighting (he worked with Solly Zuckerman
and Hugh Cairns
on researching helmet designs - see Zuckerman helmet
).
Most of Christopherson's research was conducted at the University of Oxford
(1937–41), the University of Cambridge
(1945–49), and the University of Leeds
(1949–55). He contributed to lubrication
research especially. He was a lecturer in engineering at Cambridge. Christopherson was then appointed Professor of Mechanical Engineering
at Leeds and became the head of the department in 1949. He left Leeds to become Professor of Applied Science with special reference to Engineering at Imperial College, London until 1960.
Christopherson was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society
in 1960.
He was also a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering
.
He was Vice-Chancellor and Warden of the University of Durham (1960–1979) and then Master
of Magdalene College, Cambridge
(1978–1985). One of his children was the musician, video director and designer Peter Christopherson
.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
engineering science academic.
He was born the son of a clergyman, Derman Christopherson (the vicar of Plumstead
Plumstead
Plumstead is a district of south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich. Plumstead is a multi cultural area with large Asian and Afro-Caribbean communities, in similarity to local areas such as Woolwich and Thamesmead...
in southeast London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
), and Edith Frances
Christopherson. Soon afterwards, the Christopherson family moved to Porlock
Porlock
Porlock is a coastal village and civil parish in Somerset, England, situated in a deep hollow below Exmoor, west of Minehead. The parish, which includes Hawkcombe and Doverhay, has a population of 1,377....
in Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, where his father was vicar of Clovelly
Clovelly
Clovelly is a village in the Torridge district of Devon, England. It is a major tourist attraction, famous for its history and beauty, its extremely steep car-free cobbled main street, donkeys, and its location looking out over the Bristol Channel. Thick woods shelter it and render the climate so...
. As a boy, Christopherson suffered from asthma
Asthma
Asthma is the common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath...
. He was educated privately until, at age 14, he was sent to Sherborne School
Sherborne School
Sherborne School is a British independent school for boys, located in the town of Sherborne in north-west Dorset, England. It is one of the original member schools of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference....
in Dorset
Dorset
Dorset , is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast. The county town is Dorchester which is situated in the south. The Hampshire towns of Bournemouth and Christchurch joined the county with the reorganisation of local government in 1974...
.
He gained a scholarship at University College, Oxford
University College, Oxford
.University College , is a constituent college of the University of Oxford in England. As of 2009 the college had an estimated financial endowment of £110m...
, initially to read Mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
. Later, in 1937, he achieved a first class degree in Engineering Science. The following year he went to Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
in the USA as a Henry Fellow, gaining an SM
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
masters degree in 1938.
He returned to Oxford University as a research assistant to Sir Richard Southwell FRS, working on numerical methods for applied mechanics
Applied mechanics
Applied mechanics is a branch of the physical sciences and the practical application of mechanics. Applied mechanics examines the response of bodies or systems of bodies to external forces...
. He contributed to Southwell's relaxation method
Relaxation method
In numerical mathematics, relaxation methods are iterative methods for solving systems of equations, including nonlinear systems.Relaxation methods were developed for solving large sparse linear systems, which arose as finite-difference discretizations of differential equations...
. Christopherson was the first to apply the method in the solution of field differential equation
Differential equation
A differential equation is a mathematical equation for an unknown function of one or several variables that relates the values of the function itself and its derivatives of various orders...
s, which later became the most important application. He gained his DPhil in 1941.
In 1941, during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Christopherson was appointed as a Scientific Officer in the Ministry of Home Security
Ministry of Home Security
The Ministry of Home Security was a British government department established in 1939 to direct national civil defence during the Second World War.-Background:...
, working in the
research and experimental department with Sir Reginald Stradling. His work involved investigating the effects of explosives on buildings, shelters, and firefighting (he worked with Solly Zuckerman
Solly Zuckerman
Solly Zuckerman, Baron Zuckerman, OM, KCB, FRS was a British public servant, zoologist, and scientific advisor who is best remembered as an advisor to the Allies on bombing strategy in World War II, for his work to advance the cause of nuclear non-proliferation, and for his role in bringing...
and Hugh Cairns
Hugh Cairns (surgeon)
Sir Hugh William Bell Cairns was a British neurosurgeon.Hugh Cairns was born in Port Pirie, but came to Adelaide for his secondary education at Adelaide High School and tertiary education at the University of Adelaide...
on researching helmet designs - see Zuckerman helmet
Zuckerman helmet
The Zuckerman helmet was a British helmet designed for use by civil defence organisations and the general public during World War II...
).
Most of Christopherson's research was conducted at the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
(1937–41), the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
(1945–49), and the University of Leeds
University of Leeds
The University of Leeds is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England...
(1949–55). He contributed to lubrication
Lubrication
Lubrication is the process, or technique employed to reduce wear of one or both surfaces in close proximity, and moving relative to each another, by interposing a substance called lubricant between the surfaces to carry or to help carry the load between the opposing surfaces. The interposed...
research especially. He was a lecturer in engineering at Cambridge. Christopherson was then appointed Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the...
at Leeds and became the head of the department in 1949. He left Leeds to become Professor of Applied Science with special reference to Engineering at Imperial College, London until 1960.
Christopherson was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
in 1960.
He was also a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering
Royal Academy of Engineering
-Overview: is the UK’s national academy of engineering. The Academy brings together the most successful and talented engineers from across the engineering sectors for a shared purpose: to advance and promote excellence in engineering....
.
He was Vice-Chancellor and Warden of the University of Durham (1960–1979) and then Master
Master (college)
A Master is the title of the head of some colleges and other educational institutions. This applies especially at some colleges and institutions at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge .- See also :* Master A Master (or in female form Mistress) is the title of the head of some...
of Magdalene College, Cambridge
Magdalene College, Cambridge
Magdalene College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England.The college was founded in 1428 as a Benedictine hostel, in time coming to be known as Buckingham College, before being refounded in 1542 as the College of St Mary Magdalene...
(1978–1985). One of his children was the musician, video director and designer Peter Christopherson
Peter Christopherson
Peter Martin Christopherson, a.k.a. Sleazy was a musician, video director and designer, and former member of the influential British design agency Hipgnosis....
.
Books
- On being a technologist. London: S.C.M. Press, 1959.
- The University at Work. London: S.C.M. Press, 1973. Published for the University Teachers' Group. ISBN 0334017343.