Louis Napoleon George Filon facts for kids

Louis Napoleon George Filon (born November 22, 1875 – died December 29, 1937) was an English mathematician. He was known for studying how things move and bend, especially how materials stretch and change shape. He also created a special math method called Filon quadrature. From 1933 to 1935, he was the leader (called Vice Chancellor) of the University of London. He was also a Fellow of the Royal Society, which is a very important group for scientists.

Filon's Early Life and Family

Louis Filon was born on November 22, 1875, in Saint-Cloud, a town near Paris, France. He was the only child of Augustin Filon. His father was a French writer and teacher. Augustin Filon was a special tutor to the Prince Imperial, who was a young prince.

In 1878, Louis and his family moved to England. They came with the Prince Imperial, who was in exile. The Filon family settled in Margate, a town in England. Louis went to school at Herne House School in Margate.

Filon's Education and Career

In 1894, Louis Filon started studying at University College London. He earned his first degree in 1896. He even won a gold medal for his studies in Greek. After graduating, he became a "demonstrator" there. This meant he helped teach applied mathematics. He worked under a famous professor named Karl Pearson.

Filon found a small mistake in one of Pearson's lessons. This correction was later added to a paper they wrote together. This was Filon's only work in the field of statistics.

In 1898, Filon went to King's College, Cambridge for more advanced studies. He received a special scholarship to do this. In 1902, he earned his doctorate degree from University College London. The next year, he became a lecturer in pure mathematics at the same college.

In 1910, Louis Filon was chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a big honor for scientists. In 1912, he became a professor of applied mathematics and mechanics at University College London. He held this important job until he passed away in 1937. He took a break only to serve in the military during the First World War.

Filon also led the University of London Observatory from 1929 to 1937. He wrote more than 50 scientific papers and three books. One of his books was written with E. G. Coker.

Leadership Roles at University of London

Louis Filon was very involved in leading the University of London. He was a member of the university's Senate starting in 1920. He also served on the university court. He was the dean of the Faculty of Science. From 1924 to 1933, he led the Academic Council.

From 1933 to 1935, Filon served as the Vice Chancellor of the University of London. This is like being the head of the whole university. During his time as Vice Chancellor, the first stone was laid for the university's main buildings in Bloomsbury.

Filon's Family Life and Passing

In 1904, Louis Filon married Anne Godet. She was the oldest daughter of Professor Philippe Godet. Professor Godet taught at the University of Neuchâtel. Louis and Anne had three children: one son and two daughters.

Louis Filon passed away in Croydon on December 29, 1937. He died during a local outbreak of typhoid fever.

Books by Filon

• Treatise on Photoelasticity (1931) – written with E G Coker
• A Manual of Photoelasticity for Engineers (1936)

See also

• List of Vice-Chancellors of the University of London
• List of British university chancellors and vice-chancellors
• Photoelasticity
• Biharmonic equation