Edward Lee (scientist)
Encyclopedia
Edward Lee (2 March 1914 – 31 December 2001) was a British scientist
, inventor, and civil servant. He was the builder of Britain's first infrared
spectrometer
, and later served as Director of the Admiralty Research Laboratory
.
Grammar School. He earned an MSc from Manchester University, where he was a protege of scientists Lawrence Bragg and Patrick Blackett. He was headhunted by Sir Gordon Sutherland
to build an infrared
spectrometer
at Pembroke College
, University of Cambridge
, where he received his PhD
.
, but chose instead to remain in Britain to help with the war effort. In 1939, Lee joined the Scientific and Technical Staff at the Royal Navy
's Admiralty Research Laboratory in Teddington
, Middlesex
. He served in the Scientific Research and Experiment Department working on radar
& Type F infrared rays recognition system.
In 1958, Lee was appointed Deputy Director of the National Physical Laboratory. In 1960, he was appointed Director, Stations and Industry Division, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. In 1965, during Harold Wilson
's "white heat of technology", he became Deputy Controller (R) at the Ministry of Technology. In 1970 he was appointed Head of Research Services at the Department of Trade and Industry.
From 1971 until his retirement in 1974, Lee served as Director of the Admiralty Research Laboratory
.
Scientist
A scientist in a broad sense is one engaging in a systematic activity to acquire knowledge. In a more restricted sense, a scientist is an individual who uses the scientific method. The person may be an expert in one or more areas of science. This article focuses on the more restricted use of the word...
, inventor, and civil servant. He was the builder of Britain's first infrared
Infrared
Infrared light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength longer than that of visible light, measured from the nominal edge of visible red light at 0.74 micrometres , and extending conventionally to 300 µm...
spectrometer
Spectrometer
A spectrometer is an instrument used to measure properties of light over a specific portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, typically used in spectroscopic analysis to identify materials. The variable measured is most often the light's intensity but could also, for instance, be the polarization...
, and later served as Director of the Admiralty Research Laboratory
Admiralty Research Laboratory
The Admiralty Research Laboratory, or ARL, was a research laboratory that supported the work of the UK Admiralty in Teddington, London, England....
.
Education
Lee was educated at ConsettConsett
Consett is a town in the northwest of County Durham, England, about southwest of Newcastle upon Tyne. It is home to 27,394 .Consett sits high on the edge of the Pennines. In 1841, it was a village community of only 145, but it was about to become a boom town: below the ground was coking coal and...
Grammar School. He earned an MSc from Manchester University, where he was a protege of scientists Lawrence Bragg and Patrick Blackett. He was headhunted by Sir Gordon Sutherland
Gordon Sutherland
Sir Gordon Brims Black McIvor Sutherland FRS was a Scottish physicist. In 1964 he became Master of Emmanuel College, Cambridge.-External links:* http://www.archiveshub.ac.uk/news/03041101.html...
to build an infrared
Infrared
Infrared light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength longer than that of visible light, measured from the nominal edge of visible red light at 0.74 micrometres , and extending conventionally to 300 µm...
spectrometer
Spectrometer
A spectrometer is an instrument used to measure properties of light over a specific portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, typically used in spectroscopic analysis to identify materials. The variable measured is most often the light's intensity but could also, for instance, be the polarization...
at Pembroke College
Pembroke College, Cambridge
Pembroke College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England.The college has over seven hundred students and fellows, and is the third oldest college of the university. Physically, it is one of the university's larger colleges, with buildings from almost every century since its...
, University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
, where he received his PhD
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
.
Second World War career
At the outbreak of the Second World War, Lee had won a Commonwealth scholarship to continue his research at the Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyMassachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
, but chose instead to remain in Britain to help with the war effort. In 1939, Lee joined the Scientific and Technical Staff at the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
's Admiralty Research Laboratory in Teddington
Teddington
Teddington is a suburban area in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames in south west London, on the north bank of the River Thames, between Hampton Wick and Twickenham. It stretches inland from the River Thames to Bushy Park...
, Middlesex
Middlesex
Middlesex is one of the historic counties of England and the second smallest by area. The low-lying county contained the wealthy and politically independent City of London on its southern boundary and was dominated by it from a very early time...
. He served in the Scientific Research and Experiment Department working on radar
Radar
Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
& Type F infrared rays recognition system.
Post-war career
From 1946-1948, Lee served on the staff of the UK Ministry of Defence. In 1948, he joined the Admiralty's Department of Physical Research. In 1951, he returned to the Admiralty Research Laboratory, and in 1955 he was appointed Director of Operational Research, Royal Naval Scientific Service.In 1958, Lee was appointed Deputy Director of the National Physical Laboratory. In 1960, he was appointed Director, Stations and Industry Division, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. In 1965, during Harold Wilson
Harold Wilson
James Harold Wilson, Baron Wilson of Rievaulx, KG, OBE, FRS, FSS, PC was a British Labour Member of Parliament, Leader of the Labour Party. He was twice Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during the 1960s and 1970s, winning four general elections, including a minority government after the...
's "white heat of technology", he became Deputy Controller (R) at the Ministry of Technology. In 1970 he was appointed Head of Research Services at the Department of Trade and Industry.
From 1971 until his retirement in 1974, Lee served as Director of the Admiralty Research Laboratory
Admiralty Research Laboratory
The Admiralty Research Laboratory, or ARL, was a research laboratory that supported the work of the UK Admiralty in Teddington, London, England....
.
Retirement
In later life, Lee served as Governor of Hampton School, and Captain and President of the Home Park Golf Club at Hampton Court.External links
- Obituary - Daily Telegraph
- Royal Navy Civil Officers - unithistories.com