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Sir James Lighthill
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Science & Tech

Sir James Lighthill

British mathematician
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Also known as: Sir Michael James Lighthill
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Article History
Category: Science & Tech
In full:
Sir Michael James Lighthill
Born:
Jan. 23, 1924, Paris, France
Died:
July 17, 1998, Sark, Channel Islands (aged 74)
Awards And Honors:
Copley Medal (1998)
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Sir James Lighthill (born Jan. 23, 1924, Paris, France—died July 17, 1998, Sark, Channel Islands) British mathematician who was considered one of the greatest mathematicians of the 20th century; his innovative contributions to such fields as applied mathematics, aerodynamics, astrophysics, and fluid mechanics found such applications as the design of the supersonic Concorde jetliner and noise reduction in jet engines. In 1936 Lighthill entered secondary school at Winchester College. There he befriended Freeman Dyson, a fellow student who was equally passionate about mathematics. Both Dyson and Lighthill won scholarships to Trinity College, Cambridge, when they were 15. However, they could ...(100 of 523 words)

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