Owen Saunders
Encyclopedia
Sir Owen Alfred Saunders, MA, DSc(Eng), HonFCGI, FREng, FIMECHE, FInsTP, FRAES, FInsTF, FIC, FRS (24 September 1903 – 10 October 1993) was an English
applied mathematician, engineering science academic, and university administrator.
, London
, the only son of Alfred George Saunders, an engineer
, and Margaret Ellen Saunders (née Jones). Saunders was educated at Emanuel School
in south London (1913–19). He attained a general science degree from Birkbeck College, London (1921–23) and went on to study at Trinity College
, Cambridge
.
. He continued his studies in parallel, gaining a first class BSc in special mathematics
and an MSc in physics
.
In 1932, Saunders joined Imperial College as a lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering
. In 1937, he became the first Clothworkers Reader in Thermodynamics
. He researched aircraft piston engines and jet engine
s. In 1942, during World War II
, he joined the Ministry of Aircraft Production. He undertook research into turbine engines, working with Sir Harold Roxbee Cox
and Sir Frank Whittle
. In 1946, he returned to Imperial College as Professor and Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
Between 1964–66, Saunders was the Dean of the City and Guilds College. In 1966, he became Acting Rector of Imperial College after the sudden death of Sir Patrick Linstead
, then the Rector.
From 1967–69, he was the Vice-Chancellor of the University of London
. During this period, he oversaw the merger of Bedford College and Royal Holloway College.
(elected 1958) and the Royal Academy of Engineering
. He was President of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers
in 1960 and was made an Honorary Fellow in 1965. He was created a Knight Bachelor
for his services in 1965. He won the Max Jakob Memorial Award
in 1966.
. He died in Reigate
, Surrey
.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
applied mathematician, engineering science academic, and university administrator.
Early life
Owen Saunders was born in StreathamStreatham
Streatham is a district in Surrey, England, located in the London Borough of Lambeth. It is situated south of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-History:...
, 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...
, the only son of Alfred George Saunders, an engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
, and Margaret Ellen Saunders (née Jones). Saunders was educated at Emanuel School
Emanuel School
Emanuel School is a co-educational independent school in Battersea, south-west London. The school was founded by Lady Dacre and Elizabeth I in 1594. Today it has some 710 pupils, aged between ten and eighteen.-History:...
in south London (1913–19). He attained a general science degree from Birkbeck College, London (1921–23) and went on to study at Trinity College
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...
, 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...
.
Career
From 1926–32, Saunders started work as a scientific officer at the Fuel Research Station, part of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, in GreenwichGreenwich
Greenwich is a district of south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich.Greenwich is best known for its maritime history and for giving its name to the Greenwich Meridian and Greenwich Mean Time...
. He continued his studies in parallel, gaining a first class BSc in special 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...
and an MSc in physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
.
In 1932, Saunders joined Imperial College as a lecturer in the Department 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...
. In 1937, he became the first Clothworkers Reader in Thermodynamics
Thermodynamics
Thermodynamics is a physical science that studies the effects on material bodies, and on radiation in regions of space, of transfer of heat and of work done on or by the bodies or radiation...
. He researched aircraft piston engines and jet engine
Jet engine
A jet engine is a reaction engine that discharges a fast moving jet to generate thrust by jet propulsion and in accordance with Newton's laws of motion. This broad definition of jet engines includes turbojets, turbofans, rockets, ramjets, pulse jets...
s. In 1942, 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...
, he joined the Ministry of Aircraft Production. He undertook research into turbine engines, working with Sir Harold Roxbee Cox
Harold Roxbee Cox
Harold Roxbee Cox, Baron Kings Norton, Kt, FEng, FIMechE was a British aeronautical engineer.-Life:He was the son of William John and Amelia Roxbee Cox . As a child, his father took him to early air shows and air races, and his imagination was fuelled by pilots of the time such as Claude...
and Sir Frank Whittle
Frank Whittle
Air Commodore Sir Frank Whittle, OM, KBE, CB, FRS, Hon FRAeS was a British Royal Air Force engineer officer. He is credited with independently inventing the turbojet engine Air Commodore Sir Frank Whittle, OM, KBE, CB, FRS, Hon FRAeS (1 June 1907 – 9 August 1996) was a British Royal Air...
. In 1946, he returned to Imperial College as Professor and Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
Between 1964–66, Saunders was the Dean of the City and Guilds College. In 1966, he became Acting Rector of Imperial College after the sudden death of Sir Patrick Linstead
Patrick Linstead
Sir Patrick Linstead CBE, DSc, HonDSc, DIC, HonFCGI, HonMIMM, FRS was an English chemist.-Career:...
, then the Rector.
From 1967–69, he was the Vice-Chancellor of the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
. During this period, he oversaw the merger of Bedford College and Royal Holloway College.
Honours
Saunders was a Fellow of the Royal SocietyRoyal 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"...
(elected 1958) and 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 President of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers
Institution of Mechanical Engineers
The Institution of Mechanical Engineers is the British engineering society based in central London, representing mechanical engineering. It is licensed by the Engineering Council UK to assess candidates for inclusion on ECUK's Register of professional Engineers...
in 1960 and was made an Honorary Fellow in 1965. He was created a Knight Bachelor
Knight Bachelor
The rank of Knight Bachelor is a part of the British honours system. It is the most basic rank of a man who has been knighted by the monarch but not as a member of one of the organised Orders of Chivalry...
for his services in 1965. He won the Max Jakob Memorial Award
Max Jakob Memorial Award
The Max Jakob Memorial Award recognizes an eminent scholarly achievement and distinguished leadership in the field of heat transfer. Awarded annually to a scholar by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers , it is the highest honor in the field...
in 1966.
Personal life
Owen Saunders married Marion McKechney in 1935 and they had three children. After her death in 1981, he married Daphne Holmes. He was a full member of The Magic CircleThe Magic Circle
The Magic Circle is a British organisation, founded in London in 1905, dedicated to promoting and advancing the art of magic.- History :The Magic Circle was founded in 1905 after a meeting of 23 amateur and professional magicians at London's Pinoli's Restaurant...
. He died in Reigate
Reigate
Reigate is a historic market town in Surrey, England, at the foot of the North Downs, and in the London commuter belt. It is one of the main constituents of the Borough of Reigate and Banstead...
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
.