Arnold Wolfendale

Sir Arnold Wolfendale
Born	(1927-06-25) 25 June 1927 (age 84) Rugby, Warwickshire
Residence	Durham
Nationality	British
Fields	Physics
Alma mater	University of Manchester
Known for	Astronomer Royal

Sir Arnold Whittaker Wolfendale FRS (born 25 June 1927, Rugby, Warwickshire ^[1]) is a British astronomer who served as Astronomer Royal from 1991 to 1995.

Early life

His family moved to Flixton, Lancashire when he was 18 months. He attended Stretford Grammar School in Manchester. Wolfendale was graduated with a BSc in physics from the University of Manchester in 1948, followed by a PhD in 1953 and a DSc in 1970.

Career

During his career he held academic posts at the universities of Manchester (1951–6), Durham (1956–92), Ceylon and Hong Kong, and was head of department at Durham where he remains an emeritus professor. He was Professor of Physics at Durham from 1965–92.

Recognition

Wolfendale was elected a fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society in 1973, and a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1977. He served as Astronomer Royal from 1991 to 1995. In 1992, Wolfendale retired from teaching, and he was knighted in 1995. In 1996 he became Professor of Experimental Physics with the Royal Institution of Great Britain. A lecture theatre in Durham University's new Calman Learning Centre has been named in his honour.

Personal life

He married Audrey Darby in 1951. They had twin sons. His wife died in 2007.

References

External links

• Durham University Staff Profile: Prof Sir AW Wolfendale

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