George Rochester facts for kids

George Dixon Rochester (born February 4, 1908 – died December 26, 2001) was a British physicist. He is famous for helping to discover a tiny particle called the kaon. He worked with another scientist, Sir Clifford Charles Butler, on this important discovery.

Life and Discoveries of George Rochester

Early Life and Education

George Rochester was born in Wallsend, England. His father, Thomas, was a blacksmith who later worked at the Swan Hunter shipyard. George was their only child.

He went to local primary schools. In 1920, he started at Wallsend Grammar School. He was very good at chemistry and physics there.

George won a scholarship to Armstrong College in Newcastle. He earned a first-class degree in physics in 1930. A professor named W. E. Curtis guided his studies.

He received a scholarship for postgraduate studies in 1931. He joined Professor Curtis's research team. He also earned his MSc in 1932 and his PhD in 1937 from Armstrong College.

Research in Sweden and the USA

In 1934, George spent a year in Sweden. He worked on light spectra with Professor Erik Hulthén. This was at the University of Stockholm.

Professor Curtis suggested George apply for a special scholarship. He won a Commonwealth Fund Fellowship for 1935-1937. This allowed him to study at the University of California, Berkeley in the USA.

He sailed to New York in July 1935. In Berkeley, he worked on different types of light spectra. He also saw the early development of the cyclotron, a particle accelerator.

While there, he met many famous scientists. These included Niels Bohr and Arthur Compton.

Return to England and War Work

In 1937, George returned to England. He became an assistant lecturer at the Victoria University of Manchester. He joined the cosmic ray research group in 1938. This group was led by Patrick Blackett.

When World War II started in 1939, George helped with radar defense. He worked at a new radar station near Scarborough.

After a few months, he was called back to Manchester. He helped teach physics degree courses during the war. He also worked as the University Fire Officer.

This left him time to do research on cosmic rays. He worked with another physicist, Lajos Jánossy. This research continued after the war.

Discovery of the Kaon

After the war, George continued his cosmic ray research. He worked with Clifford Butler. Their work led to a major discovery.

They discovered new particles called V particles. These particles were later named kaons. This was a very important finding in physics.

In 1953, George became the acting director of the Physical Laboratories in Manchester. Soon after, he was offered a job at Durham.

Leading the Physics Department at Durham

George Rochester became a professor at Durham University in 1955. He stayed there until he retired. He worked hard to make the physics department excellent.

He brought in great staff and got money for new buildings. He also secured funds for important research. He made the department a lively and friendly place.

His contributions are remembered at Durham University. The physics department building is named the Rochester building. There is also a Rochester Prize for top students. An annual Rochester Lecture is held in his honor.

In 1958, he was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very high honor for scientists in the UK. He was nominated for a Nobel Prize in Physics 22 times.

Family Life

George Rochester met his future wife, Idaline Bayliffe, at Durham University. They were both students there. They were part of the Student Christian Movement.

They got engaged in 1935, before George went to the USA. They married on April 18, 1938, in Cullercoats.

They had two children: Dorothy, born in 1942, and Anthony, born in 1946. Both George and Ida were very active in their local Methodist Church.

George Dixon Rochester passed away in Durham on December 26, 2001. His wife, Ida, passed away just six days later.