Sir Alan Cottrell
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Born | 17 July 1919
Birmingham, Warwickshire (now West Midlands)
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Died | 15 February 2012(2012-02-15) (aged 92)
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
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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 English metallurgist and physicist. He was also former Chief Scientific Advisor to the UK Government and vice-chancellor of Cambridge University 1977–1979.
Cottrell was educated at Moseley Grammar School and the University of Birmingham, where he gained a Bachelor of Science degree in 1939 and a PhD for research on welding 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 of solid state physics.[3] In 1955 he moved to A.E.R.E. Harwell, to become Deputy Head of Metallurgy under Monty Finniston.[3]
From 1958 to 1965 Cottrell was Goldsmiths' Professor of MetallurgyatCambridge University, and a fellow of Christ's College. He later worked for the government in various capacities, ultimately as Chief Scientific Adviser from 1971 to 1974,[4] before becoming MasterofJesus 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 the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.[15]
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Preceded by Sir Solly Zuckerman |
Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Government 1971–1974 |
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Preceded by | Master of Jesus College, Cambridge 1973–1986 |
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Preceded by | Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge 1977–1979 |
Succeeded by |
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