The lives of UK marine scientists


We are fortunate that the lives of several marine scientists have been documented in published obituaries and, in the case of recent Fellows of the Royal Society, in Biographical Memoirs. We have compiled a list of those that are available online.  These are arranged in chronological order together with a short description of the major contributions that each individual has made.
Some of the staff at Bidston Observatory in the 1950s alongside the Bidston One O’Clock Gun. Bidston was where Joseph Proudman, Arthur Doodson and David Carwright, three of the FRSs in our list, were based.
Some of the staff at Bidston Observatory in the 1950s alongside the Bidston One O’Clock Gun. Bidston was where Joseph Proudman, Arthur Doodson and David Carwright, three of the FRSs in our list, were based. 

A recent and more comprehensive insight into the lives of scientists can be found in recorded (and in many cases, transcribed) oral histories.  Many of these have been compiled by the British Library through their Voices of Science and are listed below with direct links to the recordings.  Also included in this list are links to recordings made under the auspices of other organisations.  


Latest News

Heat and carbon uptake in the Southern Ocean: the state of the art and future priorities

The following Royal Society Philosophical Trans A issue has been highly cited and downloaded - Heat and carbon uptake in the Southern Ocean: the state of the art and future priorities organised and edited by Andrew J S Meijers, Corinne Le Quéré CBE FRS, Pedro M S Monteiro, Jean-Baptiste Sallée and the articles can be accessed directly at www.bit.ly/TransA2249 

Purchase the print issue at the reduced price of £40 by contacting sales@royalsociety.org

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New Chief Executive at the National Oceanography Centre

Dr John Siddorn will officially start the role of CEO of the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) on 4 April 2024, bringing with him extensive experience in leadership in science, technology, and innovation. Dr Siddorn will be replacing Professor Ed Hill CBE, who announced his retirement from NOC in November 2023 after nineteen years of distinguished service leading the organisation. Full news story.

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The Marine Environmental Data and Information Network (MEDIN) Open Meeting

The Marine Environmental Data and Information Network (MEDIN) invites the marine community, particularly those from a policy, commercial, academic and conservation background, to an open meeting to introduce the new MEDIN Business Plan 2024-2029 and to discuss how the wider community can contribute to the future developments in UK marine data management.

Wednesday 24th April 2024 – HYBRID (The Crown Estate, 1 St James's Market, St. James's, London SW1Y 4AH and online using Microsoft Teams)

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