Alec Merrison facts for kids

Sir Alexander Walter Merrison (born March 20, 1924 – died February 19, 1989) was an important British physicist. A physicist is a scientist who studies how the universe works, from tiny particles to huge galaxies. Sir Alec Merrison was a professor at Liverpool University. He also became the first Director of the new Daresbury Nuclear Physics Laboratory. Later, he led the University of Bristol as its Vice-Chancellor.

Early Life and Education

Alec Merrison was born in Wood Green, London. He went to Tottenham Grammar School and then Enfield Grammar School. After that, he studied at King's College London. During the Second World War, his college moved to Bristol for safety. He graduated with top honors in 1944.

Career Highlights

Sir Alec Merrison started his career working on radar from 1944 to 1946. Radar is a system that uses radio waves to detect objects. In 1946, he joined a research center called the Atomic Energy Research Establishment. There, he began studying nuclear physics, which is about the tiny parts inside atoms. He even helped create some of the first tools to study neutrons.

In 1951, he moved to the University of Liverpool. For ten years, he researched "elementary particle physics." This field looks at the smallest known particles in the universe. He used new machines called proton synchrotrons for his research. From 1957 to 1960, he worked at CERN. CERN is a big European organization for nuclear research.

Sir Alec became a professor at Liverpool in 1960. In 1962, he took on another big role. He became the first Director of the new Daresbury Nuclear Physics Laboratory. He was in charge of building a large machine there. This machine was called NINA, and it was an electron synchrotron. It helped scientists study particles.

In 1969, Sir Alec Merrison became the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bristol. This means he was the head of the university. He oversaw many changes and helped the university grow. Towards the end of his time there, he had to make some difficult decisions. This was because the government reduced funding for universities.

Other Important Work

Besides leading the university, Sir Alec Merrison also served on many government committees. These committees helped make important decisions for the country.

• In 1970, he led a committee that looked at how to design and build strong steel bridges.
• In 1973, he chaired a committee about how doctors are trained and regulated. Many of their ideas became law in 1978.
• In 1978, he joined a committee to study using the ocean's tides for energy. This was for the Severn Estuary. Their report in 1981 was positive about the idea.
• In 1976, he led a Royal Commission on the National Health Service (NHS). This group looked at ways to improve healthcare in the UK. Some of their ideas were later used to reform the NHS.

He also led the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals from 1979 to 1981. This group represented all the university leaders in the UK. He was also the President of the CERN Council from 1982 to 1985. During his time, Spain rejoined CERN, and he worked to keep the UK involved.

After retiring from Bristol University, Sir Alec Merrison joined the board of Lloyds Bank. He also became the Chairman of the Western Provident Association.

Death

Sir Alec Merrison passed away on February 19, 1989. He had four children. Two sons, Tim and Jonathan, were from his first marriage. He had a son, Ben, and a daughter, Andria, with his second wife, Maureen.

Honours and Awards

Sir Alec Merrison received many awards and honors for his work.

• In 1961, he won the Charles Vernon Boys Prize for his research on electron decay.
• He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1969. This is a very high honor for scientists.
• He was knighted in 1976, which means he received the title "Sir."
• He also received special degrees from universities like Bristol, Bath, and Liverpool.
• In 1986–1987, he was appointed High Sheriff of Avon.