Michael Fisher facts for kids

Michael Ellis Fisher (born September 3, 1931, died November 26, 2021) was a brilliant scientist from England. He was a physicist, chemist, and mathematician. He is famous for his important work in statistical physics. This field helps us understand how tiny particles behave in large groups. He also studied phase transitions, which are like when ice melts into water.

Professor Fisher taught at Cornell University for many years. Later, he moved to the University of Maryland College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences. He was a highly respected professor there until he retired.

Michael Fisher's Education and Career

Michael E. Fisher started his journey in science at King's College London. He earned his first degree there in 1951. In 1957, he completed his PhD in physics. His studies focused on analogue computing.

After finishing his PhD, he became a teacher at King's College London. By 1965, he was a full professor.

Moving to Cornell University

In 1966, Professor Fisher joined Cornell University. He became a professor of chemistry, physics, and mathematics. He even led the chemistry department from 1975 to 1978.

In 1971, he became a member of the Royal Society. This is a very old and respected group of scientists in the UK. In 1983, he was also chosen to be a foreign member of the United States National Academy of Sciences. This was a big honor for him.

Later Career and Family Life

From 1987, Professor Fisher worked at the Institute for Physical Science and Technology. This institute is part of the University of Maryland College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences. He retired from his work in 2012.

Michael Fisher lived with his wife, Sorrel. They had four children together. Two of their children also became theoretical physicists. His son, Daniel S. Fisher, is a professor at Stanford University. His other son, Matthew P. A. Fisher, is a professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Major Awards and Honors

Professor Fisher received many important awards for his scientific work. These awards show how much his contributions helped the world of physics.

Wolf Prize in Physics

In 1980, Michael Fisher won the Wolf Prize. He shared this award with two other scientists, Kenneth G. Wilson and Leo Kadanoff. The prize committee praised him for being a very productive and creative scientist. They said he helped bring together chemists and physicists. He taught them a common way to talk about phase transitions.

Boltzmann Medal

The Boltzmann Medal is another very important award in physics. Professor Fisher received it in 1983. He was honored "for his many illuminating contributions to phase transitions and critical phenomena." This means his work helped explain how materials change from one state to another.

Lars Onsager Prize

In 1995, Professor Fisher was awarded the Lars Onsager Prize. This prize recognized his many important contributions to statistical mechanics. This includes his work on phase transitions, scaling laws, and critical exponents. These ideas help scientists understand how systems behave at critical points.

Other Recognitions

Professor Fisher received many other honors throughout his career.

• Guggenheim Fellowship (1970)
• Irving Langmuir Prize (1971)
• Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (1979)
• Guthrie Medal and Prize (1980)
• Michelson–Morley Award (1982)
• NAS Award for Scientific Reviewing (1983)
• Member of the American Philosophical Society (1993)
• Royal Medal in physics (2005)
• BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award (2009)
• Rudranath Capildeo Prize for Applied Sciences and Technology-Gold (2015)

See also

In Spanish: Michael E. Fisher para niños