Herbert Wakefield Banks Skinner facts for kids
Herbert Wakefield Banks Skinner (7 October 1900 – 20 January 1960) was a British physicist. He was known for his important work on X-rays and for helping to set up major research centers.
Quick facts for kids
Herbert W B Skinner
FRS
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Skinner in 1944
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| Born |
Herbert Wakefield Banks Skinner
7 October 1900 |
| Died | 20 January 1960 (aged 59) |
| Resting place | Alperton Cemetery, Wembley |
| Education | Durston House Rugby School |
| Alma mater | Trinity College, Cambridge |
| Spouse(s) | Erna Abrahamsohn (or Wurmbrand) |
| Children | Elaine Auriol |
| Awards | FRS |
| Scientific career | |
| Institutions | Cavendish Laboratory Bawdsey Research Station TRE Berkeley Radiation Laboratory AERE University of Liverpool |
Contents
Early Life and Education
Herbert Skinner was born in Ealing, England, on October 7, 1900. He was the only son of George Herbert and Mabel Elizabeth Skinner. His father was a director of a shoe company.
Herbert was taught at home until he was nine years old. Then, he went to Durston House school. In 1914, he won a special scholarship for math to attend Rugby School.
In 1919, he started studying at Trinity College, Cambridge. He focused on natural sciences and mathematics. He finished his studies and graduated in 1922.
Pioneering Physics Research
Skinner began his research career at the famous Cavendish Laboratory. He worked with Charles Drummond Ellis on studying beta-ray spectra. These are streams of electrons or positrons released during radioactive decay.
In 1927, he moved to the physics department at the University of Bristol. There, he researched how atoms get excited and release energy. This work helped him prepare for his most important studies.
Soft X-ray Discoveries
From 1932 to 1940, Skinner did amazing work on soft X-ray emission spectra. He studied how light metals give off soft X-rays. He developed new ways to investigate these X-rays.
His techniques allowed him to see tiny details in the X-ray patterns. This helped scientists understand how electrons behave in metals. His findings were very important for understanding materials.
Contributions During World War II
During World War II, Skinner used his skills to help with radar technology. He joined the Bawdsey Research Station in Suffolk. This station was key to developing early warning radar.
He worked on the Chain Home network, which detected enemy aircraft. He also helped develop equipment to find submarines. Later, he worked on microwave technology at the Telecommunications Research Establishment.
Becoming a Fellow of the Royal Society
In March 1942, Herbert Skinner was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very high honor for scientists. The Royal Society recognized his excellent experimental skills. They also praised his deep understanding of physics theory.
His work on X-rays provided direct proof for "Brillouin zones." These zones help explain how electrons move in solid materials.
Work on Uranium Separation
In 1943, Skinner joined a group of British physicists. They worked at the Berkeley Radiation Laboratory in the United States. Their goal was to separate different types of uranium atoms. This was a crucial step in developing nuclear energy.
Post-War Leadership in Science
After the war, Skinner continued to play a big role in science. In 1946, the Atomic Energy Research Establishment (AERE) was created. This was a major research center for atomic energy.
Skinner helped set up the AERE and hire many scientists. He was involved in building important equipment. This included a large cyclotron and a Van de Graaff generator. He also helped start the GLEEP reactor. His most notable achievement was creating the General Physics Division.
Leading Physics at Liverpool
In 1949, Skinner became the Chair of Physics at the University of Liverpool. He worked on finishing a large cyclotron that his predecessor had started. A cyclotron is a machine that speeds up tiny particles.
In his later years, he was a leader in developing CERN. CERN is a huge international research organization. It focuses on particle physics and has the world's largest particle accelerator.
Personal Life
Herbert Skinner married Erna Abrahamsohn (or Wurmbrand) in 1931. They had one daughter named Elaine Auriol.
Herbert Skinner passed away on January 20, 1960, in Geneva, Switzerland. He was visiting the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) at the time. He was buried in Alperton Cemetery in Wembley.
