John Howard Purnell OBE FRSC[1] (17 August 1925 Rhondda, South Wales — 12 January 1996 Swansea, Wales)[2] was a Welsh chemist.
Professor John Howard Purnell | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 17, 1925 Rhondda |
| Died | January 12, 1996 (aged 70) Swansea |
| Alma mater | Cardiff University, University of Cambridge |
| Known for | Chemistry, Gas Chromatography |
| Signature | |
| 4th & 5th Swansea University Head of Chemistry Department | |
| In office 1970–1984 | |
| Preceded by | Cedric Hassall |
| Succeeded by | Andrew Pelter |
| In office 1988–1990 | |
| Preceded by | Andrew Pelter |
| Succeeded by | Keith Smith |
| President, Royal Society of Chemistry | |
| In office 1994–1996 | |
| Succeeded by | Professor E.W. Abel |
Education
He attended Maes y Dderwen County School in Ystradgynlais before attending Pentre Secondary School.[3]
After graduating with a first class honours in chemistry at University College, Cardiff in 1946 he went on to the University of Wales and received a PhD in 1952.[3]
Career
Purnell began to work in the field of gas chromatography in this field in 1952 at Cambridge University while working with Professor R. G. W. Norrish.[3] In 1965 he became Professor of Physical Chemistry at University College, Swansea where he remained until his retirement in 1992.[[:Category:|]]
He was president of the Royal Society of Chemistry between 1994 and 1996.[citation needed]