Emlyn Rhoderick
Encyclopedia
Emlyn Huw Rhoderick was a Welsh
physicist
and academic, who spent 33 years as professor of solid-state electronics at the Manchester College of Science and Technology (later known as UMIST).
, south Wales on 29 September 1920. He was educated at Cowbridge Grammar School
and Jesus College, Oxford
, obtaining first-class honours in natural science (physics), having studied mathematics
in his first year at the university on the advice of his tutor
. Before studying nuclear physics
at Trinity College, Cambridge
, he worked at the Royal Signals and Radar Establishment
during the Second World War on coastal defence radar
. He then taught at Glasgow University and, after winning a Fulbright Fellowship, at Columbia University
. In 1954, he was appointed as principal scientific officer at the Services Electronic Research Laboratory at Baldock
, Hertfordshire
, working on semiconductors and superconductors. He was promoted to senior principal scientific officer.
Rhoderick's work attracted the attention of Lord Bowden, the principal of the Manchester College of Science and Technology, who asked Rhoderick to become the first-ever professor of solid-state electronics. He was appointed in 1962 and spent the following 33 years in Manchester, building an internationally-recognised research group and conducting significant research himself; his published work on semiconductors became a standard reference on the topic. He took on organisational responsibilities at the university, acting as vice-principal to resolve a conflict between the principal and the chairman of council, and becoming temporary head of an arts department that was in severe difficulties.
Rhoderick died on 24 March 2007.
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
physicist
Physicist
A physicist is a scientist who studies or practices physics. Physicists study a wide range of physical phenomena in many branches of physics spanning all length scales: from sub-atomic particles of which all ordinary matter is made to the behavior of the material Universe as a whole...
and academic, who spent 33 years as professor of solid-state electronics at the Manchester College of Science and Technology (later known as UMIST).
Life
Rhoderick was born in PontypriddPontypridd
Pontypridd is both a community and a principal town of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales and is situated 12 miles/19 km north of the Welsh capital city of Cardiff...
, south Wales on 29 September 1920. He was educated at Cowbridge Grammar School
Cowbridge Grammar School
Cowbridge Grammar School was one of the best-known schools in Wales until its closure in 1974. It was replaced by a comprehensive school.Founded in the 17th century by Sir John Stradling and refounded by Sir Leoline Jenkins, it had close links with Jesus College, Oxford. The school took both...
and Jesus College, Oxford
Jesus College, Oxford
Jesus College is one of the colleges of the University of Oxford in England. It is in the centre of the city, on a site between Turl Street, Ship Street, Cornmarket Street and Market Street...
, obtaining first-class honours in natural science (physics), having studied 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...
in his first year at the university on the advice of his tutor
Tutorial system
At Cambridge University, Oxford University and Queen's University Belfast, undergraduates are taught in the tutorial system. Students are taught by faculty fellows in groups of one to three on a weekly basis...
. Before studying nuclear physics
Nuclear physics
Nuclear physics is the field of physics that studies the building blocks and interactions of atomic nuclei. The most commonly known applications of nuclear physics are nuclear power generation and nuclear weapons technology, but the research has provided application in many fields, including those...
at Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
, he worked at the Royal Signals and Radar Establishment
Royal Signals and Radar Establishment
The Royal Signals and Radar Establishment was a scientific research establishment within the Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom, located primarily at Malvern in Worcestershire. It was formed in 1976 in an amalgamation of earlier research establishments including the Royal Radar Establishment...
during the Second World War on coastal defence radar
Radar
Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
. He then taught at Glasgow University and, after winning a Fulbright Fellowship, at Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
. In 1954, he was appointed as principal scientific officer at the Services Electronic Research Laboratory at Baldock
Baldock
Baldock is a historic market town in the local government district of North Hertfordshire in the ceremonial county of Hertfordshire, England where the River Ivel rises. It lies north of London, southeast of Bedford, and north northwest of the county town of Hertford...
, Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
, working on semiconductors and superconductors. He was promoted to senior principal scientific officer.
Rhoderick's work attracted the attention of Lord Bowden, the principal of the Manchester College of Science and Technology, who asked Rhoderick to become the first-ever professor of solid-state electronics. He was appointed in 1962 and spent the following 33 years in Manchester, building an internationally-recognised research group and conducting significant research himself; his published work on semiconductors became a standard reference on the topic. He took on organisational responsibilities at the university, acting as vice-principal to resolve a conflict between the principal and the chairman of council, and becoming temporary head of an arts department that was in severe difficulties.
Rhoderick died on 24 March 2007.