Leslie Fleetwood Bates facts for kids
Leslie Fleetwood Bates (born March 7, 1897 – died January 20, 1978) was an English physicist. He was famous for his important work on ferromagnetism. This is the study of materials that can be strongly magnetized, like iron. He worked as a physics professor at the University of Nottingham from 1936 until he retired in 1964.
Early Life and World War I
Leslie Bates was born in Kingswood, Bristol, on March 7, 1897. He was the oldest son in his family. From a young age, he attended the Moravian Church. He went to Hanham Road Boys' School and then the Merchant Venturers' Secondary School.
In 1913, Leslie won a scholarship to study physics at the University of Bristol. When World War I started, he chose not to join the fighting. This was because his father believed in pacifism, which means being against war and violence. Instead, Leslie focused on his studies. He earned his first degree in physics and mathematics in 1916.
After graduating, he joined the Royal Army Medical Corps. He worked as a radiographer, taking X-rays. He served in India until 1920 and became a Captain. When he returned home, he wanted to study medicine. However, he was not accepted. Instead, he worked at Bristol University for two years. During this time, he studied how magnetic fields affect materials. This work made him very interested in ferromagnetism.
A Career in Physics
Leslie Bates then went to Trinity College, Cambridge to earn his PhD. He worked with the famous scientist Sir Ernest Rutherford. After getting his PhD, he became an Assistant Lecturer in Physics at University College London in 1924. He was promoted several times, becoming a Senior Lecturer and then a Reader.
In 1936, Leslie Bates became a professor at the University of Nottingham. He held this important job until he retired in 1964. His main research was always about ferromagnetism. He wanted to understand how materials become magnetic. In 1949, he received the Fernand Holweck Medal and Prize for his scientific achievements. He also served as the Vice-Principal of Nottingham University from 1944 to 1946. From 1950 to 1952, he was the President of the Physical Society.
During World War II, he helped the government as a consultant. He also advised on Civil Defence for many years after the war. In 1950, he was made a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very high honor for scientists in the UK. In 1966, he received the Order of the British Empire (CBE). He also received honorary degrees from the Universities of Nottingham and Durham.
Family Life
In 1925, Leslie Bates married Winifred Frances Furze Ridler. They had a son named Roger and a daughter named Elizabeth. Roger became a schoolteacher, and Elizabeth became a doctor. Leslie Fleetwood Bates passed away on January 20, 1978, at the age of 81.
