Francis Graham-Smith facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Francis Graham Smith
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Graham Smith in 2009
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| Born | 25 April 1923 |
| Died | 20 June 2025 (aged 102) |
| Education | Rossall School |
| Alma mater | University of Cambridge |
| Spouse(s) |
Elizabeth Graham Smith
(died 2021) |
| Awards | Royal Medal (1970) Richard Glazebrook Medal and Prize (1991) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Radio astronomy |
| Institutions |
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| Doctoral students | Andrew Lyne |
Sir Francis Graham-Smith FRS was a very important British astronomer. He was known for his work studying the universe using radio astronomy. From 1982 to 1990, he held a special title called the Astronomer Royal. He was also made a knight in 1986, which means he was given the title "Sir" for his amazing contributions.
Contents
Early Life and Learning
Francis Graham-Smith was born on April 25, 1923. He went to a school called Rossall School. Later, he studied at Downing College, Cambridge, starting in 1941. This is where he began his journey into science.
A Career in Radio Astronomy
In the late 1940s, Francis Graham-Smith started working at the University of Cambridge. He helped with a special tool called the Long Michelson Interferometer. This tool was used to study radio waves from space.
In 1964, he became a Professor of Radio Astronomy at the University of Manchester. This meant he taught and led research about how to study the universe using radio waves. In 1981, he became the director of the Nuffield Radio Astronomy Laboratories, which are part of the University of Manchester at Jodrell Bank. Jodrell Bank is famous for its giant radio telescopes.
He also served as the Director of the Royal Greenwich Observatory from 1975 to 1981. This observatory is very important for studying the stars and planets.
Francis Graham-Smith even appeared on a TV show called Treasure Hunt! He helped the presenter, Anneka Rice, reach a clue at Jodrell Bank by giving her a piggyback ride. This shows he had a fun side too!
He also guided many students, including Andrew Lyne, who went on to become a famous astronomer himself.
Here are some of the books he helped write:
- Optics (with J.H. Thompson)
- Pathways to the Universe (with Bernard Lovell)
- Pulsar Astronomy (with Andrew Lyne)
- An Introduction to Radio Astronomy (with Bernard F. Burke and Peter N. Wilkinson)
- Unseen Cosmos
- Eyes on the Sky: A Spectrum of Telescopes
Life Outside of Work
Francis Graham-Smith had a fascinating hobby: he was a very keen bee-keeper! He continued to look after bee hives at Jodrell Bank even when he was in his 90s. He even inspired a group at the University of St Andrews to start their own bee-keeping society.
He lived with his wife, Elizabeth, in a place called Henbury, Cheshire. They met way back in 1945–1946 in Cambridge. They were both working with another famous scientist, Martin Ryle, during the early days of radio astronomy.
Francis Graham-Smith was also a supporter of Humanists UK and was involved with astronomical societies like the Macclesfield Astronomical Society and the Mansfield and Sutton Astronomical Society. He loved sharing his passion for the stars with others.
He celebrated his 100th birthday on April 25, 2023. He passed away on June 20, 2025, at the age of 102.
Awards and Special Recognitions
Sir Francis Graham-Smith received many important awards and honors for his work:
- In 1970, he was chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very high honor for scientists in the UK. He also received their Royal Medal in 1987.
- He was the president of the Royal Astronomical Society from 1975 to 1977. This is a leading group for astronomers.
- He served as the thirteenth Astronomer Royal from 1982 to 1990. This is a special position given to a top astronomer in the UK.
- In 1991, he was given the Richard Glazebrook Medal and Prize.
In 1965, he was invited to give a special talk called the Royal Institution Christmas Lecture. The topic was Exploration of the Universe, and it was a great way to share the wonders of space with a wider audience.
