David Clary facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir David Clary
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Sir David Clary, from the portrait by Keith Breeden
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David Charles Clary
14 January 1953 Halesworth, Suffolk, United Kingdom
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| Nationality | British |
| Alma mater | University of Sussex (BSc) University of Cambridge (PhD) |
| Known for | Quantum theory for chemical reactions |
| Spouse(s) | Heather Ann Clary |
| Awards | FRS (1997) Knight Bachelor (2016) International Honorary Member of American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2003) Royal Society of Chemistry: Meldola Medal and Prize (1981), Marlow Award (1986), Corday-Morgan Prize (1989), Chemical Dynamics Award (1998), Tilden Prize (1998), Polanyi Medal (2004), Liversidge Award (2010), Spiers Memorial Award (2018) Annual Medal of International Academy of Quantum Molecular Science (1989) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Theoretical Chemistry |
| Institutions | IBM San Jose California University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology University of Cambridge Magdalene College, Cambridge University College London University of Oxford Magdalen College, Oxford Foreign & Commonwealth Office |
| Doctoral advisor | Nicholas C. Handy |
Sir David Charles Clary, born on January 14, 1953, is a British scientist. He is known for his work in theoretical chemistry. This field uses math and computers to understand how chemicals react.
From 2005 to 2020, he was the President of Magdalen College, a part of the University of Oxford. He also served as the first chief scientific adviser for the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office from 2009 to 2013. This important role meant he gave science advice to the government on international matters. Today, he is a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Oxford.
Early Life and Education
David Clary was born in Halesworth, Suffolk, in the United Kingdom. He went to Colchester Royal Grammar School from 1964 to 1971.
He studied at the University of Sussex, earning a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in 1974. He then went to the University of Cambridge. There, he earned his PhD in 1977 and a Doctor of Science (ScD) degree in 1997. He also did special research after his PhD at IBM in California and at the University of Manchester.
Career and Roles
In 1980, David Clary became a lecturer at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST). A lecturer is like a teacher at a university.
Later, in 1983, he moved to the University of Cambridge. He became a lecturer and then a reader in theoretical chemistry. A reader is a senior academic position. While there, he was also a fellow and senior tutor at Magdalene College.
In 1996, he became a professor and director of the Centre for Theoretical and Computational Chemistry at University College London. This center focused on using computers to study chemistry.
He joined the University of Oxford in 2002. There, he led the Division of Mathematical and Physical Sciences. He was also a professorial fellow at St John's College. In 2005, he was chosen to be the President of Magdalen College, Oxford. He held this position until 2020.
Sir David also helped share scientific knowledge. He was an editor for Chemical Physics Letters from 2000 to 2020. He also reviewed articles for the famous journal Science from 2003 to 2016.
Awards and Recognition
In 1997, Sir David Clary was made a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very high honor for scientists in the UK. He received it for his work on the quantum theory of chemical reactions. Quantum theory helps explain how tiny particles behave.
He is also a member of many other important science groups. These include the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Physical Society. He is also part of the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Institute of Physics.
In 2014, he was named an Einstein Professor by the Chinese Academy of Sciences. In 2019, he became an honorary fellow of the Chemical Research Society of India. He also received an honorary degree from the University of Sussex in 2011.
Sir David Clary was knighted by the Queen in 2016. This means he received the title "Sir." He was honored for his great contributions to international science. His knighthood recognized his leadership at Magdalen College. It also celebrated his new theories for calculating how fast chemical reactions happen. As the first chief scientific adviser for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, he helped show the world how strong UK science is. He believed that science teamwork could improve relationships between countries.
Scientific Research
Sir David Clary is known for using quantum collision theory. This theory helps explain how chemicals react. His methods allow scientists to predict how molecules will react. They can also predict how energy moves between them.
His work is important for understanding chemistry in extreme places. This includes space, fires, and Earth's atmosphere. These environments are hard to study in a lab. But his theories can help scientists understand them better.
Currently, his research focuses on semiclassical rate theories. These theories help predict how fast chemical reactions occur.
He is also an expert on Erwin Schrödinger. Schrödinger was a famous scientist who discovered wave mechanics. This is a form of quantum theory.
Books
Sir David Clary has written several books:
- Schrödinger in Oxford, published in 2022.
- The Lost Scientists of World War II, published in 2024.
- Walter Kohn: From Kindertransport and Internment to DFT and the Nobel Prize, published in 2024.
