Ernest William Titterton
Encyclopedia
Sir Ernest William Titterton Ph. D. (4 March 1916 in Tamworth, UK – 8 February 1990) was a nuclear physicist
and professor.
, UK, on 4 March 1916.
Titterton's primary education that began next door to the family home in Kettlebrook at a single-room school for infants, starting at the age of four. After two years, his studies moved to a boys-only school in Glascote, Tamworth. This council school in a mining town had basic science facilities (uncommon at that time), and it was there that his interest in science was first kindled. At ten, Titterton won a scholarship to attend Queen Elizabeth's Grammar school (Tamworth), where he performed consistently well. After topping the class frequently, he entered to sixth form
, which was at that time reserved for gifted students expected to continue to study at a tertiary level. Ernest studied mathematics, physics and chemistry, and under the tutelage of physics teacher William Summerhayes, he thrived.
In 1934, Titterton was accepted into University of Birmingham
on a scholarship basis. Due to his achievements at secondary school, Ernest was allowed to begin his tertiary studies with second-year subjects, and even then he was said to have found them easy. He obtained his Bachelor of Science
in 1936 with distinctions in both pure and applied mathematics and, of course, physics. An honours year quickly followed, and Titterton topped the year in Physics.
One year later, Ernest was presented with a University scholarship, and worked in a research position under Professor Mark Oliphant
. The project he shared with another student was to determine if the weak alpha activity of samarium
was due to the electron or gamma ray
components of cosmic ray
s. Upon completion of these experiments, Titterton was awarded a Master of Science
in 1938. As a requirement of his scholarship, Ernest was required to become a teacher for a year. This met a lukewarm reception, but he graduated from the Diploma in Education
, and was even awarded the Elizabeth Cadbury Prize for achieving top in the class.
After a call from Oliphant, who wanted to develop a small wavelength radiation generator, Titterton worked as a research officer with the British Admiralty
for the early part of the second world war, working on radar
systems. Though the work was classed top-secret, he was allowed to submit it to Birmingham and was awarded a PhD in physics in 1941.
. A year later he was promoted to Chief Instrumentation Advisor to the Task Force Commander at the Bikini Atoll
nuclear weapons testing facility. For the following year, he was Head of Electronics in the Los Alamos laboratory.
For the next three years, Titterton headed Nuclear Emulsion and Cloud Chamber Research at the Atomic Energy Research Establishment
in Harwell, Oxfordshire
.
For the next thirty years, Titterton held high positions on various science, defense and nuclear-related committees, institutes and councils in Australia, including: Australian Atomic Weapons Tests Safety Committee (1954–1956), Australian Atomic Energy Commission's Scientific Advisory Committee (1955–1964), Council of the Institute of Defence Science, Department of Supply (1957–1972), Australian Atomic Weapons Tests Safety Committee (1957–1973), National Radiation Advisory Committee (1957–1973), Federal Government's Defence Research and Development Policy Committee( 1958–1973), Council of the Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering (1960–1984), Council of the Australian Academy of Science (1964–1966), Advisory Committee of the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre (1967–1981)
During this time, Titterton continued to pursue his academic interests and was the Dean of Research School of Physical Sciences, Director of Research School of Physical Sciences (1969–1973), a professor of nuclear physics (1973–1981) a member of council at Macquarie University (1978–1984)
During his career, Titterton received a plethora of awards, most notably being appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George
, and Knighthood in 1970.
. He divorced in 1986, and was injured seriously in a car accident, which required him to use a wheelchair full-time. He died on 8 February 1990.
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...
and professor.
Early years
Ernest William Titterton, was born of William Alfred and Elizabeth Titterton in Kettlebrook, TamworthTamworth
Tamworth is a town and local government district in Staffordshire, England, located north-east of Birmingham city centre and north-west of London. The town takes its name from the River Tame, which flows through the town, as does the River Anker...
, UK, on 4 March 1916.
Titterton's primary education that began next door to the family home in Kettlebrook at a single-room school for infants, starting at the age of four. After two years, his studies moved to a boys-only school in Glascote, Tamworth. This council school in a mining town had basic science facilities (uncommon at that time), and it was there that his interest in science was first kindled. At ten, Titterton won a scholarship to attend Queen Elizabeth's Grammar school (Tamworth), where he performed consistently well. After topping the class frequently, he entered to sixth form
Sixth form
In the education systems of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and of Commonwealth West Indian countries such as Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Belize, Jamaica and Malta, the sixth form is the final two years of secondary education, where students, usually sixteen to eighteen years of age,...
, which was at that time reserved for gifted students expected to continue to study at a tertiary level. Ernest studied mathematics, physics and chemistry, and under the tutelage of physics teacher William Summerhayes, he thrived.
In 1934, Titterton was accepted into University of Birmingham
University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Birmingham, England. It received its royal charter in 1900 as a successor to Birmingham Medical School and Mason Science College . Birmingham was the first Redbrick university to gain a charter and thus...
on a scholarship basis. Due to his achievements at secondary school, Ernest was allowed to begin his tertiary studies with second-year subjects, and even then he was said to have found them easy. He obtained his Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in 1936 with distinctions in both pure and applied mathematics and, of course, physics. An honours year quickly followed, and Titterton topped the year in Physics.
One year later, Ernest was presented with a University scholarship, and worked in a research position under Professor Mark Oliphant
Mark Oliphant
Sir Marcus 'Mark' Laurence Elwin Oliphant, AC, KBE, FRS was an Australian physicist and humanitarian who played a fundamental role in the first experimental demonstration of nuclear fusion and also the development of the atomic bomb.During his retirement, Oliphant was appointed as the Governor of...
. The project he shared with another student was to determine if the weak alpha activity of samarium
Samarium
Samarium is a chemical element with the symbol Sm, atomic number 62 and atomic weight 150.36. It is a moderately hard silvery metal which readily oxidizes in air. Being a typical member of the lanthanide series, samarium usually assumes the oxidation state +3...
was due to the electron or gamma ray
Gamma ray
Gamma radiation, also known as gamma rays or hyphenated as gamma-rays and denoted as γ, is electromagnetic radiation of high frequency . Gamma rays are usually naturally produced on Earth by decay of high energy states in atomic nuclei...
components of cosmic ray
Cosmic ray
Cosmic rays are energetic charged subatomic particles, originating from outer space. They may produce secondary particles that penetrate the Earth's atmosphere and surface. The term ray is historical as cosmic rays were thought to be electromagnetic radiation...
s. Upon completion of these experiments, Titterton was awarded a Master of Science
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:...
in 1938. As a requirement of his scholarship, Ernest was required to become a teacher for a year. This met a lukewarm reception, but he graduated from the Diploma in Education
Postgraduate Diploma in Education
The Postgraduate Diploma in Education , also known as a Graduate Diploma of Education , is a one-year postgraduate course in several places like Australia, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, Hong Kong and Singapore for existing bachelor's degree holders leading to become a qualified teacher.The...
, and was even awarded the Elizabeth Cadbury Prize for achieving top in the class.
After a call from Oliphant, who wanted to develop a small wavelength radiation generator, Titterton worked as a research officer with the British Admiralty
Admiralty
The Admiralty was formerly the authority in the Kingdom of England, and later in the United Kingdom, responsible for the command of the Royal Navy...
for the early part of the second world war, working on 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...
systems. Though the work was classed top-secret, he was allowed to submit it to Birmingham and was awarded a PhD in physics in 1941.
Moving into Nuclear Research
After his studies in radar, Titterton decided to pursue an interest in nuclear technology and joined the British Scientific Mission in USA, which was working on the development of the first nuclear weapons. In July 1945 he was a senior member of the timing group that fired the first nuclear weapon at Alamogordo, New MexicoAlamogordo, New Mexico
Alamogordo is the county seat of Otero County and a city in south-central New Mexico, United States. A desert community lying in the Tularosa Basin, it is bordered on the east by the Sacramento Mountains. It is the nearest city to Holloman Air Force Base. The population was 35,582 as of the 2000...
. A year later he was promoted to Chief Instrumentation Advisor to the Task Force Commander at the Bikini Atoll
Bikini Atoll
Bikini Atoll is an atoll, listed as a World Heritage Site, in the Micronesian Islands of the Pacific Ocean, part of Republic of the Marshall Islands....
nuclear weapons testing facility. For the following year, he was Head of Electronics in the Los Alamos laboratory.
For the next three years, Titterton headed Nuclear Emulsion and Cloud Chamber Research at the Atomic Energy Research Establishment
Atomic Energy Research Establishment
The Atomic Energy Research Establishment near Harwell, Oxfordshire, was the main centre for atomic energy research and development in the United Kingdom from the 1940s to the 1990s.-Founding:...
in Harwell, Oxfordshire
Harwell, Oxfordshire
Harwell is a village and civil parish in the Vale of White Horse west of Didcot. It was part of Berkshire until the 1974 boundary changes transferred it to Oxfordshire.-Amenities:...
.
To Australia
In August 1950, Titterton was given the role of Foundation Professor to the Chair of Nuclear Physics at Australian National University. However, his international interests continued and he was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and Sciences of London and the American Physical Society, both in 1952. In 1954 a similar honour was bestowed upon his as one of the earliest fellows of the Australian Academy of Science.For the next thirty years, Titterton held high positions on various science, defense and nuclear-related committees, institutes and councils in Australia, including: Australian Atomic Weapons Tests Safety Committee (1954–1956), Australian Atomic Energy Commission's Scientific Advisory Committee (1955–1964), Council of the Institute of Defence Science, Department of Supply (1957–1972), Australian Atomic Weapons Tests Safety Committee (1957–1973), National Radiation Advisory Committee (1957–1973), Federal Government's Defence Research and Development Policy Committee( 1958–1973), Council of the Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering (1960–1984), Council of the Australian Academy of Science (1964–1966), Advisory Committee of the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre (1967–1981)
During this time, Titterton continued to pursue his academic interests and was the Dean of Research School of Physical Sciences, Director of Research School of Physical Sciences (1969–1973), a professor of nuclear physics (1973–1981) a member of council at Macquarie University (1978–1984)
During his career, Titterton received a plethora of awards, most notably being appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
, and Knighthood in 1970.
Retirement
Titterton officially retired in 1981, but retained a position as a Visiting Fellow in the Department of Nuclear Physics of Australian National UniversityAustralian National University
The Australian National University is a teaching and research university located in the Australian capital, Canberra.As of 2009, the ANU employs 3,945 administrative staff who teach approximately 10,000 undergraduates, and 7,500 postgraduate students...
. He divorced in 1986, and was injured seriously in a car accident, which required him to use a wheelchair full-time. He died on 8 February 1990.