Roger Elliott (physicist) facts for kids

Sir Roger James Elliott (born December 8, 1928 – died April 16, 2018) was a British scientist. He was a theoretical physicist, which means he used math and ideas to understand how things work in the universe. Sir Roger focused on how materials behave, especially their magnetic, light-related, and electrical properties. He studied what is called condensed matter, which includes solids and liquids.

Early Life and Education

Roger Elliott was born in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England. He loved learning about math and physics. In 1952, he earned a special advanced degree, a DPhil, from the University of Oxford. This degree was in mathematics and theoretical physics.

A Career in Science

After finishing his studies, Sir Roger traveled to the United States. He worked as a researcher at the University of California, Berkeley, from 1952 to 1953. Then, he returned to England. He worked at the Atomic Energy Research Establishment until 1955.

In 1955, he started teaching at the University of Reading. A few years later, in 1957, he went back to the University of Oxford. He became a very important professor there, holding the title of Wykeham Professor of Physics from 1974 to 1988.

Leading Oxford University Press

After his time as a professor, Sir Roger took on a different kind of leadership role. From 1988 to 1993, he was the chief executive of Oxford University Press. This is a very famous publishing company that prints books and journals.

Awards and Honors

Sir Roger Elliott received many important awards for his scientific work.

• In 1968, he won the Maxwell Medal and Prize from the Institute of Physics. He shared this award with another scientist, Kenneth William Harry Stevens.
• He also received the Guthrie Medal and Prize from the Institute of Physics in 1990.

In 1976, he was chosen to be a fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very high honor for scientists in the United Kingdom. In 1987, he was made a knight by the Queen. This is why he is called "Sir" Roger Elliott.

He also received special honorary degrees from several universities. These included the University of Paris (1983), the University of Bath (1991), and the University of Essex (1993). These degrees recognized his great contributions to science.

Sir Roger Elliott passed away on April 16, 2018, when he was 89 years old.

Family Connections

Sir Roger Elliott had a cousin named Robert J. Elliott. Robert was also a mathematician.

See also

• Elliott formula