Richard Norman (chemist) facts for kids
Sir Richard Oswald Chandler Norman, KBE FRS (April 27, 1932 – June 6, 1993) was a very important British chemist. He was known for his amazing work in chemistry and for leading big science organizations.
Life and Work
Richard Norman was born in Norbury, London, in 1932. His father, Oswald, managed a bank. Richard went to St Paul's School, London for his early education.
He loved chemistry and studied it at Balliol College, Oxford. He finished with top marks in 1955. The next year, he joined Merton College, Oxford to do more research. He earned his DPhil (which is a very high degree, like a PhD) in 1957. His research looked at how fast certain chemical reactions happen.
In 1958, Richard became a Fellow at Merton College. This meant he could teach, tutor students, and build his own research team.
Later, in 1965, he moved to the University of York. There, he helped create a brand new chemistry department. He became famous for studying how organic reactions work. Organic chemistry is about chemicals that contain carbon, which are found in all living things.
In 1987, he returned to Oxford University. He became the leader (called Rector) of Exeter College, Oxford. He stayed in this important role until he passed away in 1993.
Richard married Jennifer Margaret Tope in 1982. They did not have children. He died in Oxford and was cremated there.
Books by Richard Norman
Richard Norman also wrote several important chemistry textbooks. These books helped many students learn about chemistry:
- Electrophilic Substitution in Benzenoid Compounds (with Roger Taylor) (published 1964)
- Principles of Organic Synthesis (published 1968; 3rd ed. 1993, with James M. Coxon)
- Modern Organic Chemistry (with David J. Waddington) (published 1972; 4th ed. 1983)
- Mechanisms in Organic Chemistry: Case Studies (with Michael J. Tomlinson and David J. Waddington, published 1978)
Awards and Recognitions
Sir Richard Norman received many important awards and honors for his work:
- He was the President of the Royal Institute of Chemistry from 1978 to 1980.
- He was also the President of the Royal Society of Chemistry from 1984 to 1986. These are very important roles in the world of chemistry.
- In 1977, he was chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a huge honor for scientists in the UK.
- He was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in 1987. This means he was given the title "Sir."
- From 1983 to 1988, he was the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Ministry of Defence. In this role, he gave scientific advice to the government on defense matters.
- He won the Meldola Medal and Prize from the Royal Society of Chemistry in 1961.
- He also won the Corday–Morgan Medal from the Royal Society of Chemistry in 1967.
