Rex Richards (chemist) facts for kids

Sir Rex Edward Richards (28 October 1922 – 15 July 2019) was a famous British scientist and academic leader. He was known for his important work in chemistry. Sir Rex also held big jobs, like being the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford and a director at the Leverhulme Trust.

Early Life and Education

Rex Richards grew up in Colyton, England. He went to Colyton Grammar School. He was the very first student from his school to go to the famous University of Oxford.

He started at St John's College, Oxford in January 1942. He worked hard and earned a top degree called a Bachelor of Arts in 1945. Later, in 1948, he received his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), which is a very high degree for researchers.

A Career in Chemistry

After finishing his studies, Sir Rex Richards stayed at Oxford University. He became a chemistry expert at Lincoln College, Oxford from 1947 to 1964. He then became a special professor of chemistry at Exeter College, Oxford.

In 1969, he took on an important role as the Warden of Merton College, Oxford. A Warden is like the head of a college.

Leading Oxford University

From 1977 to 1981, Sir Rex was the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford. This is a very important leadership role, like being the president of a big university. He helped guide the university during those years.

He also worked with big organizations outside the university. He was a director for IBM (UK) Ltd and the Leverhulme Trust, which supports research and education.

Recognized for His Work

Sir Rex Richards was highly respected in the world of science. He was the President of the Royal Society of Chemistry for two years. The Royal Society, a very old and famous scientific group, gave him two special awards: the Davy Medal in 1976 and the Royal Medal in 1986.

In 1977, he was knighted, which means he was given the title "Sir" by the Queen. This was a big honor for his contributions to science and education.

He also served as the Chancellor of the University of Exeter from 1982 to 1998. This is another important leadership role, often held by someone famous or respected.

Art and Culture

Sir Rex Richards was not only interested in science. He also loved art! He was part of the Scientific Advisory Committee for the National Gallery in London for many years. He even led this committee for a while.

He helped start the World Cultural Council in 1981, which promotes culture and education around the world. He was also a trustee for famous art galleries like the Tate Gallery and the National Gallery. He helped manage the Henry Moore Foundation, which supports art by the famous sculptor Henry Moore.

His Scientific Discoveries

Sir Rex Richards' main research was about something called nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). This is a way to study the tiny parts of atoms and molecules. It helps scientists understand what different materials are made of.

He worked in the Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory at Oxford. The magnet from one of his early NMR machines, built in 1956, is now in the Science Museum, London. His early research also involved infrared spectroscopy, another way to study materials using light.

Awards and Honors

Sir Rex Richards received many awards for his important work:

• He became a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS).
• He became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry in 1970.
• He won the Davy Medal in 1976.
• He won the Corday-Morgan Medal in 1954.

His nomination for the Royal Society said he was "Distinguished for his work on nuclear magnetic resonance and its application to chemical problems." It also mentioned his "outstanding contributions to the development of this technique."

Personal Life

In 1948, Rex Richards married Eva Vago. They had two daughters together. Eva Richards passed away in 2009.