Hello,
On Thu, 20 Apr 2000, Michael Kenward wrote:
> I'm working on a project at the moment that might once have been up their
> street. (Now with the DTI.) Seeking names of notable British scientists who
> can appear on posters. Apart from the obvious victims, anyone got any ideas?
> I naturally want to offer a mix of people, so all 'genders' and 'ethnics'
> welcome.
I take it that this is unconnected to the British Council's
"UK science personalities: The work of contemporary British scientists" online
exhibition:
http://www.britcoun.org/science/science/personalities/text/ukperson.htm
(I didn't know the British Council did science :)
Either way:
Here's a slew of mathematicians/Scottish scientists that may be of interest:
Dead:
James Clerk Maxwell
Very bright bloke, did some physics, unified the electromagnetic spectrum and
took the first colour photo. I'm emailing this from the house of his birth, so
if you need more info, I know who to contact.
Mary Sommerville
Female, Scottish Mathematician (Celestial Mechanics). Lived in the Scottish
Borders, AFAIK, in a time when her husband had to borrow the library books on
her behalf, because women Weren't Supposed To Do That Thing. Became Fellow of
the London Maths Society, in her hubby's name. Again, I can provide a name of
someone who knows quite a bit about her and many other dead (and alive)
mathematicians.
Florence Nightingale, statistician and nurse (but you know her already)
Not Yet:
Sir Michael Atiyah
Bright mathematician, featured on the British Council pages above.
Prof Ross
(I think that is his name). Another bright, virtually unknown scientist,
lives in Inverness. The same person that I know who would willingly talk to you
about dead mathematicians also knows about this one.
That's all I can think of at the moment -- what sorts of people are you after
(dead or not yet, current researchers or great names?)?
I'd be interested to see/hear about the finished product, especially if there
was any maths content.
Oh and from a personal point of view, if you are covering computing, mention
Charles Babbage _and_ Ada Lovelace as a pair.
Hope that helps,
Scott
Scott Keir
Maths Year 2000 Scotland
International Centre for Mathematical Sciences P: 0131 220 1777
14 India Street F: 0131 220 1053
Edinburgh e: [log in to unmask]
EH3 6EZ w: http://www.mathsyear2000scotland.org.uk
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