1. Michael Swann was appointed chairman of the BBC, awarded a knighthood and subsequently a life peerage.
15 Facts About Michael Swann
1. 2.
Michael Swann was educated at King's College School, Cambridge, and then at Winchester College, a boarding independent school for boys in the city of Winchester in Hampshire, where he was an Exhibitioner.
3.
Michael Swann then studied zoology at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, where he graduated MA and PhD.
4.
Michael Swann served with the British Army during World War II, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel, and being Mentioned in Dispatches.
5.
From 1946 Michael Swann lectured in zoology at the University of Cambridge, his alma mater.
6.
Michael Swann moved to Edinburgh University as professor of natural history in 1952.
7.
Michael Swann's proposers were James Ritchie, John Gaddum, Sir Maurice Yonge and Harold Callan.
8.
Michael Swann used cell polarisation methods to understand the changes in molecular organisation of the mitotic spindle.
9.
Michael Swann collaborated with Victor Rothschild in experiments on changes in membrane structure during fertilisation.
10.
Michael Swann received a knighthood in the 1972 Birthday Honours, having the honour conferred by the Queen herself on 5 December 1972.
11.
Michael Swann was chairman of the governors of the BBC from 1973 to 1980 having been appointed by Conservative Prime Minister Edward Heath, who admired his strong leadership during student protests at Edinburgh University.
12.
Michael Swann was created a life peer as Baron Swann, of Coln St Denys in the County of Gloucestershire on 16 February 1981.
13.
In 1980 Michael Swann became Provost of Oriel College, although he resigned after nine months, and was Chancellor of the University of York from 1979 until his death.
14.
The Michael Swann Building of the University of Edinburgh at Kings Buildings is named after him.
15.
Several of Michael Swann's relatives were prominent in their own rights:.