Appleton's academic journey commenced at Hanson Grammar School in Bradford, where he laid the foundation for his illustrious career. He pursued a B.A. degree in Natural Science at St. John’s College, Cambridge, specializing in physics under the mentorship of luminaries such as Sir J.J. Thomson and Lord Rutherford. His exceptional academic prowess earned him prestigious accolades, including the Wiltshire Prize in 1913 and the Hutchinson Research Studentship in 1914.
The outbreak of World War I interrupted Appleton's academic pursuits as he dutifully served in the West Riding Regiment before transferring to the Royal Engineers. Upon the war's conclusion, he returned to Cambridge to delve deeper into his research on radio waves.
Appleton's contributions to atmospheric physics burgeoned as he immersed himself in pioneering radio techniques. His tenure as assistant demonstrator in experimental physics at the Cavendish Laboratory marked the beginning of a prolific career. Subsequently, he assumed the position of sub-rector at Trinity College in 1922.
Transitioning to King’s College, London, Appleton served as the esteemed Wheatstone Professor of Experimental Physics from 1924 to 1936. A brief interlude as the Jacksonian Professor of Natural Philosophy at Cambridge preceded his pivotal role as secretary to the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research from 1939 to 1949.
The zenith of Appleton's career arrived in 1947 when he received the Nobel Prize for Physics, alongside the US Medal for Merit and the Norwegian Cross of Freedom. His enduring legacy extended beyond academia as he assumed the mantle of Principal and Vice Chancellor at Edinburgh University in 1949 until his demise in 1965.
Sir Edward Victor Appleton's life epitomizes the relentless pursuit of scientific inquiry and the transformative power of discovery. His groundbreaking work continues to inspire generations of physicists, leaving an indelible imprint on the annals of scientific history.
Biography of Sir Edward Victor Appleton (1892-1965)
