George Porter

Date of Birth: December 6, 1920

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: August 31, 2002

Biography

George Porter was a renowned British chemist, born on December 6, 1920, in Stainforth, Yorkshire, England. He is best known for his pioneering work in the field of photochemistry, for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1967, along with Manfred Eigen and Ronald George Wreyford Norrish. Porter’s groundbreaking research involved the study of extremely fast chemical reactions using flash photolysis, a technique he helped to develop. This method allowed scientists to observe the intermediate stages of chemical reactions, significantly advancing the understanding of reaction mechanisms. Porter completed his education at the University of Leeds and later earned a Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge. Throughout his career, he held several prominent academic and administrative positions. Notably, he was the Director of the Royal Institution of Great Britain from 1966 to 1985 and served as the President of the Royal Society from 1985 to 1990. His contributions to science were recognized with numerous awards and honors, including knighthood in 1972 and the Order of Merit in 1989. In addition to his scientific achievements, Porter was a passionate advocate for science education and public understanding of science. He frequently delivered lectures and wrote extensively on the subject, emphasizing the importance of scientific literacy in modern society.

5 Interesting Facts about George Porter

1. George Porter shared the 1967 Nobel Prize in Chemistry with Manfred Eigen and Ronald George Wreyford Norrish for their work on extremely fast chemical reactions.

2. He developed the flash photolysis technique, which allowed the study of transient chemical species.

3. Porter was knighted in 1972 and became a member of the Order of Merit in 1989.

4. He served as the President of the Royal Society from 1985 to 1990.

5. Porter was a strong advocate for science education and frequently engaged in public outreach to promote scientific literacy.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from George Porter

1. “Science is often misrepresented as a collection of facts, but it is primarily a method of inquiry.”

2. “The beauty of a living thing is not the atoms that go into it, but the way those atoms are put together.”

3. “In science, there are no shortcuts to truth.”

4. “Understanding the natural world is a source of not only great curiosity but also great joy.”

5. “A scientist’s aim in a discussion with his colleagues is not to persuade, but to clarify.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

George Porter’s highest net worth is not publicly documented. As a scientist and academic, his wealth primarily came from his salary and various awards, rather than commercial ventures.