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 14 January 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. Sir David was the leader, or president, of Magdalen College, Oxford, from 2005 to 2020. He also served as the first chief scientific adviser to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. This means he gave science advice to the UK government on international matters. He is currently a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Oxford.
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Learning and Studies
Sir David Clary was born in Halesworth, a town in Suffolk, England. He went to Colchester Royal Grammar School as a teenager. After school, he studied at the University of Sussex, earning a science degree in 1974. He then went to the University of Cambridge for his PhD, which he finished in 1977. Later, he earned a higher science degree (ScD) from Cambridge in 1997.
After his studies, he did special research at IBM in California, USA. He also worked at the Victoria University of Manchester.
Important Jobs
In 1980, Sir David started teaching at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST). He then moved to the University of Cambridge in 1983. There, he taught and researched theoretical chemistry. He also became a fellow and senior tutor at Magdalene College, Cambridge.
Later, in 1996, he became a director and professor at University College London. In 2002, he joined the University of Oxford. At Oxford, he led the Division of Mathematical and Physical Sciences. He was also a fellow at St John's College, Oxford. In 2005, he was chosen to be the President of Magdalen College, Oxford.
Sir David also helped share scientific knowledge. He was an editor for a science magazine called Chemical Physics Letters for 20 years. He also helped review articles for the famous Science magazine. His work as the first chief scientific adviser to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office was even written about in a magazine called Science and Diplomacy.
Special Recognitions
In 1997, Sir David Clary became a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very high honor for scientists in the UK. He received it for his important work on quantum theory and chemical reactions. Quantum theory helps us understand 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 a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Institute of Physics. In 2003, he became an International Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
In 2016, Queen Elizabeth II made him a Knight Bachelor. This means he can use the title "Sir." He received this honor for his great contributions to international science. The award recognized his leadership at Magdalen College, Oxford. It also praised his scientific research on how chemical reactions happen. He helped connect different science fields at Oxford University. As the first chief scientific adviser, he also helped show the world how strong UK science is. He believed that working together on science could improve relationships between countries.
Science Discoveries
Sir David Clary is known for using quantum theory to understand chemical reactions. He developed ways to predict how molecules react and transfer energy. His work helps scientists understand chemistry in extreme places. For example, he studies how chemicals react in space, in fires, and in Earth's atmosphere. These places are hard to study in a lab, but his methods can help.
Currently, his research focuses on new ways to predict how fast chemical reactions happen. He is also an expert on Erwin Schrödinger. Schrödinger was a famous scientist who discovered a key part of quantum theory called wave mechanics.
Books He Wrote
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.
Images for kids
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Sir David Clary, from the portrait by Keith Breeden
