A British chemist noted for his contribution to the pyrolysis of chlorinated hydrocarbons and many other areas of organic chemistry. After gaining his doctorate from Imperial College, London, he held many academic positions and visiting professorships including Regius professor of chemistry at (p. 27) the University of Glasgow and distinguished professor at Texas A&M University. He was elected Fellow of the Royal Society in 1954 and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1969. He received many other awards in recognition of his contributions to chemistry, which formed the basis of many industrial processes.