Prof. R. P. Linstead, C.B.E., F.R.S

Abstract

DR. R. P. LINSTEAD has accepted an invitation to succeed Sir Jan Heilbron as professor of organic chemistry and director of the organic chemistry laboratories at the Imperial College of Science and Techology. He thus returns to the College where he received his early training and where he was for many'years a member of the staff. His earlier work has already been referred to in a previous notice (see Nature, 156, 415 ; 1945), although one might mention, in addition, some interesting work on liquid-phase reactions under very high pressures done in collaboration with Prof. D. M. Newitt, and on the chemistry and pharmacology of the heart poisons with Prof. O. Krayer. As director of the Chemical Research Laboratory, Teddington, Prof. Linstead has occupied a key position in the linking together of Government, academic and industrial chemical research. The time of his appointment (1945) coincided with the transition period from war- to peace-time conditions, with consequent re-orientation of work and planning for the future. To this task he brought a wide scientific knowledge combined with administrative ability. Under his vigorous leadership objective fundamental research at the Laboratory received fresh impetus and direction. In his new post Prof. Linstead becomes the successor of a series of distinguished men who have built up a school of organic chemistry second to none in Great Britain, and one may confidently predict that under his aegis it will continue to flourish.