John Desmond Bernal

John Desmond Bernal , born on May 10th, 1901 with Nenagh (Ireland) and deceased on September 15th, 1971, is a British scientist.

Biography

The scientist

He made his studies with the Université of Cambridge, where he is laid off in mathematics and sciences in 1922. He starts then research under the crook of William Henry Bragg, director of the Davy-Faraday research laboratory to London. In 1924, it determines the structure of the Graphite.

In its group of research in Cambridge, it côtoie Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin, with which he will make many discoveries in the field of the Diffractométrie of x-rays. He then becomes professor of physics in London, where many famous scientists work with him: Franklin Rosalind, Aaron Klug and max Perutz. He becomes in addition member of the Royal Society on May 6th, 1937.

He is also known to have invented the Sphère of Bernal in 1929. During the Second world war, it develops the Port Mulberry to help with the Débarquement.

The political militant

Parallel to its research, Bernal carries out an intense militant life. It enters to the English Communist party in 1923, leaves it in 1933.

It obtains the Prix Stalin for peace in 1953, for its activities in favor of peace.

Died of his friend Frederic Joliot-Curie, it succeeds to him the presidency of the World council of peace (1958-1971).

Publications

the social function of science (1939)

Random links: