Harry Francis West Taylor (1923-2002)

Abstract

H.F.W. Taylor, energetic, forthright and an enthusiastic supporter of careers for women long before this became politically correct, was always known as ‘Hal’ to his colleagues and friends. His scientific career spanned over 50 years and saw great changes in crystallography, from homemade equipment and Beevers-Lipson strips to automatic diffractometers and high-powered computers. He began his studies at the University of Nottingham, and subsequently moved to Birkbeck College, London (1948–1953), which provided a uniquely stimulating environment, in large part due to the presence of the late J.D. Bernal. While there, he worked on a range of topics using methods and equipment that were incredibly primitive by today’s standards. He used to recount that his introduction to crystallography commenced by being told by Bernal to build his own film cassette for a single crystal camera (on the lines of a Unicam S25 – and how many modern crystallographers have used one of those?) from a tin can and bicycle clips. In 1953, he was offered a permanent post in the Chemistry Department at Aberdeen University, where he remained until his formal retirement. On arrival …