Thomas Ranken Lyle facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Thomas Ranken Lyle

Sir Thomas Lyle F.R.S.
Birth name	Thomas Ranken Lyle
Date of birth	(1860-08-26)26 August 1860
Place of birth	Coleraine, County Londonderry, Ireland
Date of death	31 March 1944(1944-03-31) (aged 83)
Place of death	South Yarra, Australia
University	Trinity College, Dublin
Notable relative(s)	Dame Mary Herring (daughter)
Occupation(s)	Mathematical physicist
Rugby union career
Position(s) Forward Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 188x–188x Dublin University () National team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 1885–1887 IRE 5 (0)

Sir Thomas Ranken Lyle (born August 26, 1860 – died March 31, 1944) was an amazing Irish-Australian scientist, teacher, and even a rugby player! He was a expert in mathematical physics and a pioneer in using X-rays in medicine.

Born and educated in Ireland, he later moved to Australia. There, he became a professor at the University of Melbourne. He was one of the first people to use X-rays to help doctors. Today, the Thomas Ranken Lyle Medal is given out in his honor for great achievements in Physics and Mathematics in Australia.

In his younger days in Ireland, he was a well-known rugby union player. He played for the Dublin University team and even for the Irish national team.

Sir Thomas Lyle's Life and Work

Thomas Lyle was born in Coleraine, Ireland in 1860. He was the second son of a wealthy landowner. He studied at Trinity College, Dublin, where he was excellent in mathematics and physics. He earned his Master of Arts degree in 1887.

In 1889, at 29 years old, he moved to Australia. He became a professor of natural philosophy at the University of Melbourne. In 1891, he started a small research program at the university.

In 1892, Lyle married Frances Isobel Clare Millear. They had four children: Mary, Nancy, Thomas, and Clare. Their first child, Mary Ranken Lyle, born in 1894, grew up to become a famous doctor.

Pioneering X-rays in Australia

In February 1896, scientists in Australia heard exciting news. Wilhelm Röntgen had discovered a new type of radiation called X-rays! Thomas Lyle was one of several Australian scientists who tried to repeat Röntgen's experiments.

The university didn't have the right equipment, so Lyle built it himself. He was a skilled glassblower. He made his own special glass tubes, called Crookes tubes, and removed the air from them to create X-rays.

Lyle is famous for taking and publishing one of the first X-ray photos in Australia. He took a picture of a professor's foot, which appeared in newspapers the next day. In June 1896, doctors asked him to X-ray a patient's hand to find a needle stuck inside. His "shadow photograph" helped doctors remove the needle easily.

Later Life and Achievements

In 1901, Lyle and his family moved into a large house in Toorak. They were wealthy enough to have staff to help run their home. Lyle was also involved with the Melbourne Observatory and the Rhodes scholarship selection committee.

Even though he made early progress with X-rays, Lyle's main area of study was electrical power technology. He focused on magnetic fields and alternating currents. He wrote many scientific papers, which were also published in London. In 1905, he received a special science degree from Trinity College, Dublin. Then, in 1912, he became a Fellow of the Royal Society, which is a very high honor for scientists.

Retirement and Public Service

In 1914, Thomas Lyle decided to retire from the university. He had money from his family and his wife, and he had made smart investments. By this time, old rugby injuries from his time in Ireland meant he needed crutches to walk.

Even in retirement, Lyle was very busy. He was part of many government groups and companies. During the First World War, he advised the Navy and helped with making weapons. He also helped set up Victoria's State Electricity Commission, which provides power.

In 1919, he became a founding member of the Australian National Research Council (ANRC). This group later became the Australian Academy of Science. He was even its president from 1929 to 1932. In 1922, he was made a knight, which means he was given the title "Sir."

The ANRC recognized his great contributions to science. In 1931, they created the Thomas Ranken Lyle medal. This medal is given to Australian scientists for excellent research in mathematics and physics.

Lyle stayed active in many organizations until 1940. That year, he had a brain bleed that made him partly unable to move. His health got worse, and he passed away on March 31, 1944.

Legacy and Recognition

Since 1931, the Thomas Ranken Lyle Medal has been awarded by the Australian Academy of Science. It is given every two years to an Australian mathematician or physicist for their amazing research.

On September 7, 1995, Thomas Lyle was honored on an Australian postage stamp. He appeared on a 45-cent stamp with other X-ray pioneers, Father Joseph Patrick Slattery and Walter Drowley Filmer.

Honours and Awards

• Fellow of the Royal Society
• Knight Bachelor
• Sc.D., Trinity College, Dublin

Rugby Career

While studying at Dublin University, Thomas Lyle played rugby union for the university team. He was so good that the Irish national team noticed him. He played his first international match in the 1885 Home Nations Championship.

Lyle played in both of Ireland's games in 1885, losing to England and Scotland. The Scotland game had to be replayed because of bad weather. Lyle played in both the original game and the replay.

He was chosen again for the 1886 tournament, playing in one game against England. His last international games were in the 1887 Home Nations Championship. He played against England and Scotland. Ireland won against England, which was his only international win!

Lyle also had a special role in 1887: he was chosen to referee the game between England and Scotland. His rugby career ended soon after, when he suffered a knee injury. This injury affected his health for the rest of his life.