Robert Allan Smith facts for kids

Robert Allan Smith (born May 14, 1909 – died May 16, 1980) was a brilliant British scientist. He was a mathematician, who studies numbers and shapes, and a physicist, who studies how the world works. He was also known as "RA" or "Robin" to his friends.

About Robert Allan Smith

Robert Allan Smith was born in Kelso, Scotland, on May 14, 1909. He was the older of two sons. His father, George J T Smith, was a tailor, and his mother, Elisabeth, was a dressmaker.

Robert went to local village schools first. Then he attended Kelso High School. In 1926, he started studying at the University of Edinburgh. He focused on mathematics and natural philosophy, which is an old name for science. He did very well, earning top honors in 1930.

After Edinburgh, he won a scholarship to Emmanuel College, Cambridge. There, he continued his studies in advanced mathematics. He earned another degree in 1932.

Early Research and War Work

Robert Smith began his research at the Cavendish Laboratory. He studied how tiny particles called atoms crash into each other. This work led to his first scientific paper in 1933. He then started looking into "negative ions," which are atoms with extra electrons.

In 1935, he earned his PhD, a very high academic degree. After working briefly at the University of St Andrews and the University of Reading, he joined the war effort. He started working at Bawdsey Research Station (BRS) in Suffolk. Here, he helped develop the Chain Home network. This was a system of early warning radar stations. Radar uses radio waves to detect objects, like enemy planes.

When World War II started, BRS moved to Dundee. Later, it moved again to Worth Matravers. The station was renamed the Telecommunications Research Establishment (TRE). Robert Smith worked on navigation systems, especially one called Gee. This system helped pilots find their way. In 1942, TRE moved to Malvern College. After the war, it became the Royal Radar Establishment. Robert Smith's important work during the war was recognized in 1960. He was awarded the CBE.

Leading Science and Universities

In 1961, Robert Smith became a Professor of Physics at the University of Sheffield. However, he soon looked for new challenges. He thought about moving to the MIT in the United States.

The next year, in 1962, he was elected a FRS. This is a very special honor for scientists in the UK. He then joined MIT and became the Director of the Materials Science Center. He was given a huge space for research and teaching. By 1967, he was in charge of many professors, staff, and students. He was known for bringing people together to work on science projects.

In 1968, Robert Smith became the Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University in Scotland. This means he was the head of the university. During his time there, until 1974, the university grew a lot. More buildings were built, and the number of students and staff increased. More degrees were awarded, and more research papers were published. He also helped create 12 new teaching positions called Chairs. In 1975, he received an Honorary DSc degree for all his achievements.

In 1973, Robert Smith joined the Council of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. This is another important scientific group in Scotland. In 1976, he was elected its 32nd President. He held this important role until 1979. He had been elected a FRSE in 1969.

Family Life

Robert Smith met his future wife, Doris Marguerite Louise Ward, through a Christian student group. They got married in Cambridge on December 15, 1934. They had three children: Joy, Margaret, and Alistair.

Robert Allan Smith passed away on May 16, 1980.

Books by Robert Allan Smith

Robert Allan Smith wrote several important books about science and technology:

• Radio aids to navigation, 1947
• Aerials for metre and decimetre wave-lengths, 1949
• The physical principles of thermodynamics, 1952
• Detection and measurement of infra-red radiation (with F E Jones and RP Chasmar), 1957
• Semiconductors, 1959
• Wave mechanics of crystalline solids, 1961