John Currie Gunn
Encyclopedia
Sir John Currie Gunn CBE, FRSE (September 13, 1916 - July 26, 2002) was an influential Scottish
scientist.
Gunn was born in Glasgow
and educated at the University of Glasgow
, and St John's College, Cambridge
.
During the Second World War, Gunn was part of a team of scientists and engineers led by Harrie Massey
based first at Teddington
, and then at the Admiralty Mining Establishment
attached to HMS Vernon
at Portsmouth
. He was involved in researching counter measures against German magnetic mines and the development of a range of British non-contact mines.
Gunn was appointed to the Cargill Chair of Natural Philosophy at Glasgow University in 1949, a post he held until retirement in 1982. He was also elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1959.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
scientist.
Gunn was born in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
and educated at the University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
, and St John's College, Cambridge
St John's College, Cambridge
St John's College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. The college's alumni include nine Nobel Prize winners, six Prime Ministers, three archbishops, at least two princes, and three Saints....
.
During the Second World War, Gunn was part of a team of scientists and engineers led by Harrie Massey
Harrie Massey
Sir Harrie Stewart Wilson Massey FRS was an influential Australian mathematical physicist. He worked primarily in the fields of atomic and atmospheric physics.- Life and career :...
based first at 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...
, and then at the Admiralty Mining Establishment
Admiralty Mining Establishment
The Admiralty Mining Establishment was a technical department of the Royal Navyresponsible for both the design of naval mines and the development of suitable countermeasures. In keeping with many technical departments it employed both military and highly skilled, civilian personnel...
attached to HMS Vernon
HMS Vernon (shore establishment)
HMS Vernon was a shore establishment or 'stone frigate' of the Royal Navy. Vernon was established on 26 April 1876 as the Royal Navy's Torpedo Branch and operated until 1 April 1996, when the various elements comprising the establishment were split up and moved to different commands.-Foundation...
at Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
. He was involved in researching counter measures against German magnetic mines and the development of a range of British non-contact mines.
Gunn was appointed to the Cargill Chair of Natural Philosophy at Glasgow University in 1949, a post he held until retirement in 1982. He was also elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1959.