Robert Churchhouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert Francis Churchhouse
CBE KSG
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Churchhouse displaying an Enigma machine
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| Born | December 30, 1927 Higher Blackley
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| Died | August 27, 2018 (aged 90) |
| Nationality | British |
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Notable work
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Codes and Ciphers: Julius Caesar, the Enigma and the Internet. (2002) |
| Scientific career | |
| Institutions | Government Communications Headquarters, Atlas Computer Laboratory, Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, Cardiff University |
Robert Francis Churchhouse, often called Bob Churchhouse, was a brilliant British mathematician. He was born on December 30, 1927, and passed away on August 27, 2018. He became a professor of Computing Mathematics at Cardiff University. He also led the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, a group for mathematicians.
Early Life and Learning
Bob Churchhouse was born in Higher Blackley, Manchester, on December 30, 1927. His father worked in a lab, and his mother worked in a cotton mill. Bob went to St Clare's Primary School. Later, he attended St Bede's College, Manchester from 1939 to 1946.
He then studied mathematics at Manchester University. There, he was taught by famous mathematicians Max Newman and Alan Turing. Both were well-known for their secret code-breaking work during WW2. Bob finished his degree with top honors. He then earned a special award to study for his PhD in Number Theory at Trinity Hall, Cambridge. At Cambridge, he met other mathematicians who had worked on codes during the war.
Working with Codes and Computers
In 1952, Bob Churchhouse joined the Royal Navy Scientific Service. After that, he started working for the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ). This is a British intelligence and security agency. He worked there for 11 years in different places, including London and Washington.
The GCHQ was very interested in his work with number theory. While at GCHQ, he worked with Hugh Alexander and Jack Good. These two had also helped break the famous Enigma code at Bletchley Park.
In 1962, Bob became the head of programming at the Atlas Computer Laboratory in Harwell. He worked on the Atlas I supercomputer, which was a very powerful computer for its time. He stayed there until 1971.
After leaving Atlas, Bob joined Cardiff University in 1971. He became a professor and led the new Department of Computing Mathematics. He also directed the university's computer center for a while.
Bob also helped decide how computers should be provided to universities. He chaired the Computer Board from 1979 to 1982. For his important work, he was given the CBE award.
Bob was a lifelong Catholic. He helped organize Catholic secondary schools in Cardiff. He also served on the board of governors for Saint David's Sixth Form College for 15 years. In 1988, he received a special award called a Papal Knighthood (KSG) for his service.
Family Life
Bob Churchhouse married Julia McCarthey. They had three sons together. Bob passed away on August 27, 2018, when he was 90 years old.
