Alan Arthur Wells facts for kids
Alan Arthur Wells (born May 1, 1924 – died November 8, 2005) was a very important British engineer. He specialized in structural engineering. This means he worked on designing and building strong structures like bridges and buildings.
Early Life
Alan Wells was born in a place called Goff's Oak in Hertfordshire, England. His father, Arthur John Wells, was an engineer too. He worked for a company that made oxygen.
Alan went to the City of London School. He left school early in 1940 when he was 16. He became an apprentice fitter. This meant he learned a trade by working alongside experienced people. He also studied hard for a university degree. He did this through "day release" (studying during work hours) and weekend classes.
By 1941, at just 17, he earned an early university degree (a B.Sc.). He then studied at Nottingham University College for two years. He earned his full engineering degree with honors. Alan married Rosemary Mitchell in June 1950.
Awards and Honors
Alan Arthur Wells received many awards and honors for his important work in engineering. These awards show how much his contributions were valued by experts around the world.
- 1942 Bayliss Prize, Institution of Civil Engineers
- 1946 Miller Prize, Institution of Civil Engineers
- 1955 President’s Gold Medal, Society of Engineers
- 1956 Premium Award, Royal Institution of Naval Architects
- 1964 Houdremont Lecture, International Institute of Welding
- 1966 Hadfield Medal, Iron and Steel Institute
- 1968 Larke Medal, Institute of Welding
- 1969 Honorary Fellow, Institute of Welding
- 1973 Honorary Doctorate, Ghent University
- 1975 Member, Royal Irish Academy
- 1977 Fellow of the Royal Society of London
- 1979 Fellow, Royal Academy of Engineering
- 1982 Rupert H. Myers Award, University of New South Wales
- 1982 Officer, Order of the British Empire
- 1982 DSc (honoris causa), University of Glasgow
- 1983 Ludwig Tetmajer Award, Technical University of Vienna
- 1984 Freedom of the City of London
- 1986 DSc (honoris causa), Queen’s University Belfast
- 1986 Platinum Medal, Institute of Metals
- 1987 Edstrom Medal, International Institute of Welding
- 1994 The Esso Medal, Royal Society
- 1994 Yoshiaki Arata Award, International Institute of Welding
- 1999 Honorary Fellowship, Institution of Mechanical Engineers
- 2003 Named for Professional Members Building and Library at the TWI, Abington
