[RASMB] Dr. Paley Johnson, 1917-2011

[Stephen Harding]

Dear All

It is with great sadness I have to report the loss of another of the early pioneers of the analytical ultracentrifuge and light scattering, Dr. Paley Johnson, formerly of the Colloid Science Laboratories at Cambridge, and, until his retirement in 1984, the Department of Biochemistry.   Arthur Rowe (one of his former postgrad students), John Horton (who worked with him when he moved to the Cavendish Laboratory after his official retirement) and myself (I had the honour of being his last PostDoctoral fellow) attended his funeral last Friday.

Paley established a strong reputation for first-rate rigorous research, and he was a wonderful mentor, providing excellent training for young scientists, many of whom excelled and became research leaders themselves, such as one of Britain's most foremost Colloid Chemists, Ron Ottewill OBE, FRS.  He also outlived many!  And his 2 volume series with A. Alexander on Colloid Science became the standard text for the subject for almost half a century.

Even towards the end of his long and productive life he kept his very sharp wit.   On the occasion of his 90th birthday address to the Fellows of Trinity College in 2007 (following his 80th address 10 years previous) he remarked that he looked forward to "the next in the Series", and to receiving his 100th birthday telegram from the Queen "if she were to make it that far".    Sadly he just misses out.

The text of his address is on:
http://www.trin.cam.ac.uk/show.php?dowid=731

There will be a Memorial Service at Trinity College, Cambridge on Saturday 19th March.  If you wish to attend please let either myself or Arthur know and we will inform the College.

On behalf of all former colleagues and scientists in the field: thanks Paley and goodbye!

Steve Harding

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