Sir Alan Cottrell | |
|---|---|
| Born | 17 July 1919 Birmingham, Warwickshire (nowWest Midlands) |
| Died | 15 February 2012(2012-02-15) (aged 92) Cambridge, Cambridgeshire |
| Nationality | English |
| Citizenship | British |
| Alma mater | University of Birmingham |
| Known for | Cottrell atmosphere Lomer–Cottrell junction Crack tip opening displacement |
| Awards | Fellow of the Royal Society[1] Hughes Medal(1961) Harvey Prize(1974) Rumford Medal(1974) Copley Medal(1996) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Metallurgist,Physicist |
Sir Alan Howard Cottrell,FRS[1] (17 July 1919 – 15 February 2012) was an Englishmetallurgist andphysicist. He was also former Chief Scientific Advisor to the UK Government and vice-chancellor of Cambridge University 1977–1979.
Cottrell was educated atMoseley Grammar School and theUniversity of Birmingham, where he gained aBachelor of Science degree in 1939 and a PhD for research onwelding in 1942.[2]
Cottrell joined the staff as a lecturer at Birmingham, being made professor in 1949, and transforming the teaching of the department by emphasising modern concepts ofsolid state physics.[3] In 1955 he moved toA.E.R.E. Harwell, to become Deputy Head of Metallurgy underMonty Finniston.[3]
From 1958 to 1965 Cottrell wasGoldsmiths' Professor of Metallurgy atCambridge University, and a fellow ofChrist's College. He later worked for the government in various capacities, ultimately asChief Scientific Adviser from 1971 to 1974,[4] before becomingMaster ofJesus College, Cambridge, from 1973 to 1986,[5] and Vice-Chancellor of the university in 1977–1979.[6]
Cottrell died on 15 February 2012 after a brief illness.[7]
He was a member of theRoyal Swedish Academy of Sciences.[16]
| Government offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Government 1971–1974 | Succeeded by |
| Academic offices | ||
| Preceded by | Master ofJesus College, Cambridge 1973–1986 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge 1977–1979 | Succeeded by |
