Alfred Spinks facts for kids

Alfred Spinks (born February 25, 1917 – died February 11, 1982) was a brilliant British scientist. He was both a chemist, who studies chemicals, and a biologist, who studies living things. He is known for his important work at ICI, a big company where he helped develop new medicines.

About Alfred Spinks

Alfred Spinks was born in Littleport, England, on February 25, 1917. He was the only child of Alfred Robert Spinks and Ruth Harley.

Early Life and Education

Alfred was a very smart student. In 1932, he won a special scholarship to attend Soham Grammar School. Later, he won another scholarship that allowed him to study at University College, Nottingham (now the University of Nottingham).

In 1938, he achieved the highest marks in chemistry for his university degree. After that, he went to Imperial College, where he worked with other scientists on making Vitamin A. He earned his PhD, which is a very advanced university degree, in 1940.

Career at ICI

In 1940, Alfred Spinks started working at ICI, a large chemical company. He began his career as an experimental scientist, meaning he did a lot of hands-on research. He was very interested in how medicines work inside the body.

His bosses quickly saw that Alfred had skills beyond just chemistry. They encouraged him to go back to university for two years to study physiology, which is the study of how living things work. He enjoyed this so much that he earned another top degree from Worcester College, Oxford in 1953.

When he returned to ICI, the company decided to create a new section just for medicines, called the Pharmaceuticals Division, at Alderley Park. In 1961, Alfred Spinks was chosen to lead the new Biochemistry Department there. His leadership skills were so good that by 1971, he became responsible for all of ICI's research and development (R&D) across the entire company. He retired from ICI in 1979.

Alfred Spinks was also recognized for his contributions to science. He became the president of the Chemical Society from 1979 to 1980. In 1977, he was made a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS), which is a very high honor for scientists in the UK. The next year, he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).

Family Life

Alfred Spinks married Patricia Kilner on December 19, 1946. They had two daughters named Carol and Melanie.

Alfred Spinks passed away at his home in Wilmslow, England, on February 11, 1982, just before his 65th birthday.