Meeting with a Remarkable Man: Sir Fred Hoyle Memorial Conference

Abstract

The title of this conference — ‘Fred Hoyle’s Universe’ — is very fitting considering the man we are here to commemorate. A man of whom it is fair to say — that most of what we think we know about the universe, in some significant way, was touched by his genius and creativity. Though the word creativity is not usually considered synonymous with scientific procedures, it is precisely this quality that stimulated and endeared Fred Hoyle to his peers and laymen alike. My brief two-day encounter with Fred revealed a man equally enthusiastic and inspired talking about mountain hiking and music, as he was about astrobiology and cosmology. A great scientist yes — but also a great human being, a real Renaissance man! It struck me during my talks with him that he was like a warrior, a warrior of scientific truth and fair play! And like all great warriors Fred exhibited courage and strength in the face of his many fierce scientific battles — defending his views and understanding against even the hardest of criticisms, yet ready to change or develop a problem if not solved to satisfaction. It is easy to see a great man’s failings, because he has exhibited them with the same courage as his successes — to such a person, plus or minus are just parts of the same creative saga we call knowledge.