Mary Archer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lady Archer of Weston-super-Mare
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Archer in 2011
|
|
| Born |
Mary Doreen Weeden
22 December 1944 |
| Education | Cheltenham Ladies' College |
| Alma mater | |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 2 |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Solar power conversion |
| Institutions |
|
| Doctoral students | Joanna Bauldreay |
Mary Doreen Archer, Baroness Archer of Weston-super-Mare (born 22 December 1944), is a British scientist. She is famous for her work on how to turn solar power into useful energy. She is married to Jeffrey Archer. He used to be a leader in the Conservative Party. Mary Archer is currently the head, or Chancellor, of the University of Buckingham.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Mary Weeden was born in Epsom, Surrey, England, in December 1944. Her father, Harold N. Weeden, was an accountant. Her mother was Doreen Cox.
Mary went to Cheltenham Ladies' College. After that, she studied chemistry at St Anne's College, Oxford. She then earned her PhD (a high-level degree) in physical chemistry from Imperial College London. Her PhD research was about how different chemicals react together.
Career in Science and Energy
Mary Archer started her career as a research fellow at St Hilda's College, Oxford, from 1968 to 1971. She also taught chemistry at Somerville College, Oxford. Later, she worked as a scientist at the Royal Institution in London. There, she became very interested in photoelectrochemistry. This is the study of how light can cause chemical reactions, especially for making electricity. She has written many books and given many talks on this topic.
In the mid-1970s, she joined the board of the International Solar Energy Society. This group works to promote solar energy use worldwide. From 1976 to 1986, she was a fellow and chemistry lecturer at Newnham College, Cambridge and Trinity College, Cambridge.
Mary Archer also worked to improve how we use energy. From 1988 to 2000, she was the head of the National Energy Foundation. This group helps people use energy better in buildings. She is now the patron of this foundation. She also leads the UK Solar Energy Society. In 2002, she received the Melchett Medal for her work in energy.
She has written many books about solar energy. One of her books, Photochemical & Photoelectrochemical Approaches to Solar Energy Conversion, took 15 years to write! She also helped edit other books about clean electricity and how plants use sunlight.
Leadership and Public Service
Mary Archer has held many important roles. She was a director of the Fitzwilliam Museum Trust in Cambridge. She also served on the Council of Lloyd's of London, an insurance company.
For 10 years, she was the chair of Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. This trust runs important hospitals like Addenbrooke's and the Rosie Hospitals. She helped create tools to help patients with prostate cancer make decisions about their care. In 2007, she won an award from the Institute of Chemistry of Ireland.
In 2020, Mary Archer became the Chancellor of the University of Buckingham. This is a very important leadership role at the university. She also served as a trustee and later as the chair of the Science Museum Group. This group looks after several famous science museums in the UK.
Honours and Recognition
In 2012, Mary Archer was given a special honour. She was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE). This was for her great work and service to the National Health Service (NHS).
In December 2013, a new road was opened in Cambridge. It connects to the Addenbrooke's Hospital. This road was named Dame Mary Archer Way. This was done to celebrate her achievements as the former head of the hospital trust.
Personal Life
Mary Weeden married Jeffrey Archer in July 1966. They met while studying at Oxford University. They have two sons, William and James.
The Archers live in a historic house called the Old Vicarage, Grantchester, near Cambridge. In the 1970s, the family faced money problems. Mary took a teaching job at Cambridge University. Her work, along with her husband's success as a writer, helped them overcome these difficulties.
In 2011, Mary Archer shared that she had undergone surgery for bladder cancer. She has also served on the council of The Cheltenham Ladies' College, her old school.
See also
In Spanish: Mary Archer para niños
