1. Kathleen Lonsdale proved, in 1929, that the benzene ring is flat by using X-ray diffraction methods to elucidate the structure of hexamethylbenzene.
21 Facts About Kathleen Lonsdale
1. 2.
Kathleen Lonsdale was the first to use Fourier spectral methods while solving the structure of hexachlorobenzene in 1931.
3.
Kathleen Lonsdale was born Kathleen Yardley in Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland.
4.
Kathleen Lonsdale was born to English born Harry Yardley, the town postmaster, and Jessie Cameron a Baptist of Scottish descent.
5.
Kathleen Lonsdale was the youngest of ten children, four of whom died in infancy.
6.
Kathleen Lonsdale's family moved to Seven Kings, Essex, England, when she was five years old.
7.
Kathleen Lonsdale studied at Ilford County High School for Girls, then transferred to Ilford County High School for Boys to study mathematics and science, because the girls' school did not offer these subjects.
8.
Kathleen Lonsdale had the highest score in physics that any student at London University ever had.
9.
Kathleen Lonsdale graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Bedford College for Women in 1922, and Master of Science degree in physics from University College London in 1924.
10.
Kathleen Lonsdale's husband Thomas Lonsdale was a textile chemist who supported his wife's research.
11.
Kathleen Lonsdale encouraged his wife to work from home and to go back to work when offered.
12.
Kathleen Lonsdale worked at the Silk Research Association in Leeds after they were married.
13.
In 1934, Kathleen Lonsdale returned to work with Bragg at the Royal Institution as a researcher.
14.
Kathleen Lonsdale was awarded a DSc from University of London in 1936 while at the Royal Institution.
15.
Kathleen Lonsdale was a pioneer in the use of X-rays to study crystals.
16.
Kathleen Lonsdale was one of the first two women elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1945.
17.
Kathleen Lonsdale returned to University College London in 1946 with the rank of reader.
18.
Kathleen Lonsdale was the first woman to be made a professor at UCL, an appointment she held until 1968 when she was named professor emeritus.
19.
Kathleen Lonsdale was a Sponsor of the Peace Pledge Union.
20.
Kathleen Lonsdale served a month in Holloway prison during the Second World War because she refused to register for civil defence duties or to pay a fine for refusing to register.
21.
Kathleen Lonsdale died on 1 April 1971, aged 68, from cancer.