who was Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge University. His prolific mathematical research output arose mainly from study of physical processes such as hydrodynamics and hydrostatics, wind pressure systems, and spectrum analysis. As well as being one of Britain’s foremost scientists Stokes was unusually active in public life, as a member of Parliament for Cambridge University 1881–92, secretary of the Royal Society 1854–84, and then its President 1885–90.