John desmond bernal biography channel

John Desmond Bernal FRS (b.10 May 1901, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, Ireland, d.London, 15 September 1971) was one of Britain’s best known and most controversial scientists, widely recognised as "Sage" for his knowledge and wisdom[2], and well known for pioneering X-ray crystallography.

Education and early career

Bernal was educated in England first at Stonyhurst College[2] where according to biographer Maurice Goldsmith there was no science taught till the sixth form.

Because of this he was moved to Bedford School at the age of thirteen[2]. There, according to Goldsmith, for five years from 1914-1919 he found it 'extremely unpleasant' and most of his fellow students 'bored him' though his younger brother Kevin who was also there was 'some consolation'[2] In 1919 he went to Emmanuel College, Cambridge University with a mathematical scholarship[2][3].

At Cambridge Bernal studied both mathematics and science for a BA degree in 1922, which he followe