View source for Martin Ryle

{{Short description|English radio astronomer (1918–1984)}}
{{More citations needed|date=September 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2012}}
{{Infobox scientist
| honorific_prefix  = [[Professor]]
| name              = Sir Martin Ryle
| honorific_suffix  = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|FRS|FREng}}
| image             = Martin Ryle 1976.jpg
| birth_date        = {{Birth date|1918|09|27|df=y}}
| birth_place       = [[Brighton]], England
| death_date        = {{death date and age|1984|10|14|1918|09|27|df=y}}
| death_place       = [[Cambridge]], England
| field             = [[Astronomy]]
| education         = [[Bradfield College]]<br />[[Christ Church, Oxford]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]], [[DPhil]])
| doctoral_advisor  = [[J. A. Ratcliffe]]<ref name=mathgene>{{MathGenealogy|id=114318}}</ref>
| doctoral_students = [[Malcolm Longair]]<ref name=mathgene/><ref name=longphd>{{cite thesis |degree=PhD |first=Malcolm Sim|last=Longair |title=The evolution of radio galaxies |publisher=University of Cambridge |date=1967 |url=http://ulmss-newton.lib.cam.ac.uk/vwebv/holdingsInfo?bibId=39508|website=lib.cam.ac.uk|oclc=657635513|id={{EThOS|uk.bl.ethos.648088}}}}</ref><br />[[Peter Rentzepis]]<br />[[Jan Högbom]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite thesis|degree=PhD|title=The structure and magnetic field of the solar corona|last=Högbom|first=Jan A.|publisher=University of Cambridge|year=1959|website=cam.ac.uk|url=https://idiscover.lib.cam.ac.uk/primo-explore/fulldisplay?docid=44CAM_ALMA21392379660003606&context=L&vid=44CAM_PROD&search_scope=SCOP_CAM_ALL&tab=cam_lib_coll&lang=en_US}}</ref><br />[[John E. Baldwin]]
| workplaces        = {{plainlist|
* [[University of Cambridge]]
* [[Gresham College]]}}
| known_for         = [[Aperture synthesis]]<br />[[Radio astronomy]]
| influences        = 
| influenced        = 
| prizes            = {{plainlist|
* [[Hughes Medal]] (1954)
* [[Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society|RAS Gold Medal]] (1964)
* [[Henry Draper Medal]] (1965)
* [[Knight Bachelor]] (1966)
* [[Faraday Medal]] (1971)
* [[Royal Medal]] (1973)
* [[Bruce Medal]] (1974)
* {{nowrap|[[Nobel Prize in Physics]] (1974)}}}}
| footnotes         = 
| signature         = 
| spouse            = {{marriage|Rowena Palmer|1947}}
| module = {{Infobox officeholder|embed=yes
  | title1 = [[Astronomer Royal]]
  | order1 = 12th
  | term_start1 = 1972
  | term_end1 = 1982
  | predecessor1 = [[Richard van der Riet Woolley]]
  | successor1 = [[Francis Graham Smith]]
  }}
}}

'''Sir Martin Ryle''' (27 September 1918&nbsp;– 14 October 1984) was an English [[radio astronomy|radio astronomer]] who developed revolutionary [[radio telescope]] systems (see e.g. [[aperture synthesis]]) and used them for accurate location and imaging of weak radio sources. In 1946 Ryle and [[Derek Vonberg]] were the first people to publish [[astronomical interferometer|interferometric]] astronomical measurements at radio wavelengths. With improved equipment, Ryle observed the most distant known galaxies in the universe at that time. He was the first Professor of [[Cavendish Astrophysics Group|Radio Astronomy in the University of Cambridge]] and founding director of the [[Mullard Radio Astronomy Observatory]]. He was the twelfth [[Astronomer Royal]] from 1972 to 1982.<ref>[http://www.nobel-winners.com/Physics/sir_martin_ryle.html About Sir Martin Ryle]</ref> Ryle and [[Antony Hewish]] shared the [[Nobel Prize for Physics]] in 1974, the first Nobel prize awarded in recognition of astronomical research.<ref>[https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/1974/press-release/ Press release about Martin Ryle's Nobel Prize.]</ref> In the 1970s, Ryle turned the greater part of his attention from astronomy to social and political issues which he considered to be more urgent. He was also an enthusiastic amateur radio operator (callsign G3CY).<ref name="shotover.clara.net">[http://www.shotover.clara.net/ours/early.htm Oxford University Radio Society - The Early Years]</ref>

==Education and early life==
Martin Ryle was born in Brighton, England, the son of Professor [[John Alfred Ryle]] and Miriam (née Scully) Ryle. He was the nephew of Oxford University Professor of Philosophy [[Gilbert Ryle]]. Martin had four siblings, and at first was educated at home by a governess. After studying at [[Bradfield College]], Ryle studied physics at [[Christ Church, Oxford]]. In 1939, Ryle worked with the [[Telecommunications Research Establishment]] (TRE) on the design of antennas for airborne radar equipment during [[World War II]]. After the war, he received a [[scholarship|fellowship]] at the [[Cavendish Laboratory]].<ref name=frs/>

==Career and research==
[[File:Martin Ryle with a telescope model.jpg|thumb|Martin Ryle with a telescope model]]
The focus of Ryle's early work in Cambridge was on radio waves from the [[Sun]].<ref name=scopus>{{Scopus id}}</ref><ref>[http://adsabs.harvard.edu//full/seri/Obs../0104//0000283.000.html Obs '''104''' (1984) 283]</ref><ref>[http://adsabs.harvard.edu//full/seri/QJRAS/0026//0000358.000.html QJRAS '''26''' (1985) 358]</ref><ref>The Papers of Martin Ryle have been catalogued by Anna-K Mayer and Tim Powell, NCUACS, in 2009 and are deposited with the [[Churchill Archives Centre]], Cambridge.[https://archivesearch.lib.cam.ac.uk/repositories/9/resources/1824]</ref> His interest quickly shifted to other areas, however, and he decided early on that the [[Cavendish Astrophysics Group|Cambridge group]] should develop new observing techniques. As a result, Ryle was the driving force in the creation and improvement of [[astronomical interferometry]] and [[aperture synthesis]], which paved the way for massive upgrades in the quality of radio astronomical data. In 1946 Ryle built the first multi-element astronomical radio interferometer.<ref name=interfere>{{Cite journal | last1 = Ryle | first1 = M. | author-link1 = Martin Ryle| last2 = Vonberg | first2 = D. D. | doi = 10.1038/158339b0 | title = Solar Radiation on 175 Mc./s | journal = Nature | volume = 158 | issue = 4010 | pages = 339 | year = 1946 |bibcode = 1946Natur.158..339R | s2cid = 4097569 }} – Observations from the first multi-element astronomical radio interferometer</ref>

Ryle guided the [[Cavendish Astrophysics Group|Cambridge radio astronomy group]] in the production of several important radio source catalogues. One such catalogue, the [[Third Cambridge Catalogue of Radio Sources]] (3C) in 1959 helped lead to the discovery of the first [[quasi-stellar object]] ([[quasar]]).

While serving as university lecturer in physics at Cambridge from 1948 to 1959, Ryle became director of the [[Mullard Radio Astronomy Observatory]] in 1957 and professor of radio astronomy in 1959. He was elected a [[List of Fellows of the Royal Society elected in 1952|Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in 1952]],<ref name="frs">{{Cite journal | last1 = Graham-Smith | first1 = Francis | author-link = Francis Graham-Smith| doi = 10.1098/rsbm.1986.0016|publisher=[[Royal Society]] | title = Martin Ryle. 27 September 1918 – 14 October 1984 | journal = [[Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society]] | volume = 32 | pages = 496–524| year = 1986 | s2cid = 71422161 }}</ref> was [[knight]]ed in 1966 (p 519 of<ref name="frs"/>) and succeeded Sir [[Richard van der Riet Woolley|Richard Woolley]] as [[Astronomer Royal]] from 1972 to 1982. Ryle and Antony Hewish shared the [[Nobel Prize for Physics]] in 1974, the first Nobel prize awarded in recognition of astronomical research. In 1968 Ryle served as professor of astronomy at [[Gresham College]], London.

===Personality===
According to numerous reports Ryle was quick-thinking, impatient with those slower than himself and charismatic.<ref name="frs"/>{{rp|502, 508, 510}} He was also idealistic,<ref name="frs"/>{{rp|519}} a characteristic he shared with his father.<ref name="frs"/>{{rp|499}}<ref name="Ryle Papers Catalogue">[https://archivesearch.lib.cam.ac.uk/repositories/9/resources/1824 The Papers of Sir Martin Ryle at Churchill Archives Centre]</ref> In an interview<ref name="The Science Show">Williams R ed ''The Best of The Science Show''. Nelson, 1983.</ref>{{rp|271}} in 1982 he said "At times one feels that one should almost have a car sticker saying 'Stop Science Now' because we're getting cleverer and cleverer, but we do not increase the wisdom to go with it."

He was also intense and volatile,<ref name="Kragh">Kragh, H. ''Cosmology and Controversy: the historical development of two theories of the universe''. Princeton University Press, 1996.</ref>{{rp|327}} the latter characteristic being associated with his mother.<ref name="frs"/>{{rp|499}}<ref name="Ryle Papers Catalogue"/>{{rp|Folder A.20}} The historian Owen Chadwick described him as "a ''rare'' personality, of exceptional sensitivity of mind, fears and anxieties, care and compassion, humour and anger."<ref name="Ryle Papers Catalogue"/>{{rp|Folder A.28}}

Ryle was sometimes considered difficult to work with{{citation needed|date=November 2015}} – he often worked in an office at the [[Mullard Radio Astronomy Observatory]] to avoid disturbances from other members of the [[Cavendish Laboratory]] and to avoid getting into heated arguments, as Ryle had a hot temper. Ryle worried that Cambridge would lose its standing in the radio astronomy community as other radio astronomy groups had much better funding, so he encouraged a certain amount of secrecy about his aperture synthesis methods in order to keep an advantage for the [[Cavendish Astrophysics Group|Cambridge group]]. Ryle had heated arguments with [[Fred Hoyle]] of the [[Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge|Institute of Astronomy]] about Hoyle's [[Steady state theory|steady state universe]], which restricted collaboration between the [[Cavendish Astrophysics Group|Cavendish Radio Astronomy Group]] and the [[Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge|Institute of Astronomy]] during the 1960s.{{citation needed|date=December 2017}}
<!-- Ryle authored two short books on nuclear proliferation ('Politics of Nuclear Disarmament') where he argued that the only way to save the planet Earth from complete nuclear annihilation was to ban the use of any nuclear devices indefinitely. -->

=== War, peace and energy ===
Ryle was a new physics graduate and an experienced amateur radio enthusiast in 1939, when the Second World War started. He played an important part in the Allied war effort,<ref name="frs"/> working mainly in radar countermeasures. After the war, "He returned to Cambridge with a determination to devote himself to pure science, unalloyed by the taint of war."<ref name="frs"/>

In the 1970s, Ryle turned the greater part of his attention from astronomy to social and political issues which he considered to be more urgent. With publications from 1976 and continuing, despite illness<ref name ="frs"/> until he died in 1984, he pursued a passionate and intensive program on the socially responsible use of science and technology.<ref name="Rowan-Robinson and Rudolf 1985">[[Michael Rowan-Robinson|Rowan-Robinson, M.]] and Rudolf, A. (1985) ''Martin Ryle's Letter''. Menard Press.</ref> His main themes were:
* Warning the world of the horrific dangers of nuclear armaments, notably in his pamphlet ''Towards the [[Nuclear Holocaust]]''.<ref>Ryle, M. ''Towards the Nuclear Holocaust''. Menard Press, 1981.</ref>
* Criticism of nuclear power, as in ''Is there a case for nuclear power?''<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Ryle | first1 = M | year = 1981 | title = Is there a case for nuclear power? | journal = Electronics and Power | volume = 28 | issue = 7/8| pages = 496–500 | doi=10.1049/ep.1982.0267}}</ref>
* Research and promotion of alternative energy and energy efficiency, as in ''Short-term Storage and Wind Power Availability''.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Anderson | first1 = M. B. | last2 = Newton | first2 = K. | last3 = Ryle | first3 = M. | last4 = Scott | first4 = P. F. | year = 1978 | title = Short-term Storage and Wind Power Availability | journal = Nature | volume = 275 | issue = 5679| pages = 432–434 | doi = 10.1038/275432a0 |bibcode = 1978Natur.275..432A | s2cid = 4266229 }}</ref>
* Calling for the responsible use of science and technology. "...we should strive to see how the vast resources now diverted towards the destruction of life are turned instead to the solution of the problems which both rich - but especially the poor - countries of the world now face."<ref name="Rowan-Robinson and Rudolf 1985"/>

In 1983 Ryle responded to a request from the President of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences for suggestions of topics to be discussed at a meeting on ''Science and Peace''. Ryle's reply was published posthumously in ''Martin Ryle's Letter''.<ref name="Rowan-Robinson and Rudolf 1985"/> An abridged version appears in ''New Scientist'' with the title ''Martin Ryle's Last Testament''.<ref>Ryle M. (1985) "Martin Ryle's Last Testament". ''New Scientist'' '''105''' (14 February): 36-37.</ref> The letter ends with "Our cleverness has grown prodigiously – but not our wisdom."

===Honours and awards===
Ryle was awarded numerous prizes and honours including:
{{Div col|colwidth=35em}}
* Elected a [[List of Fellows of the Royal Society elected in 1952|Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in 1952]]<ref name="frs"/>
*[[Hughes Medal]] (1954)
*[[Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society]] (1964)<ref>{{cite web|title=Winners of the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society |url=http://www.ras.org.uk/awards-and-grants/awards/268 |publisher=[[Royal Astronomical Society]] |access-date=24 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525064844/http://www.ras.org.uk/awards-and-grants/awards/268 |archive-date=25 May 2011 }}</ref>
*[[Fernand Holweck Medal and Prize]] (1965)
*[[Henry Draper Medal]] of the [[United States National Academy of Sciences|National Academy of Sciences]] (1965)<ref name=Draper>{{cite web|title=Henry Draper Medal |url=http://www.nasonline.org/about-nas/awards/henry-draper-medal.html |publisher=[[National Academy of Sciences]] |access-date=24 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126003930/http://www.nasonline.org/about-nas/awards/henry-draper-medal.html |archive-date=26 January 2013 }}</ref>
*[[Albert A. Michelson Medal]] of the [[Franklin Institute]] (1971)<ref name="MichelsonMedal_Laureates">{{cite web |url=http://www.fi.edu/winners/show_results.faw?gs=&ln=&fn=&keyword=&subject=&award=MICH+&sy=1967&ey=1997&name=Submit |title=Franklin Laureate Database – Albert A. Michelson Medal Laureates |publisher=[[Franklin Institute]] |access-date=14 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406103546/http://www.fi.edu/winners/show_results.faw?gs=&ln=&fn=&keyword=&subject=&award=MICH+&sy=1967&ey=1997&name=Submit |archive-date=6 April 2012 }}</ref>
*[[Royal Medal]] (1973)
*[[Bruce Medal]] (1974)<ref>{{cite web|title=Past Winners of the Catherine Wolfe Bruce Gold Medal|url=http://astrosociety.org/membership/awards/pastbruce.html|publisher=[[Astronomical Society of the Pacific]]|access-date=24 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131006010258/http://www.astrosociety.org/membership/awards/pastbruce.html|archive-date=6 October 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Nobel Prize in Physics]] (1974)
*[[Ryle Telescope]] at Mullard Radio Astronomy Observatory
* In 1965 Ryle co-delivered the [[Royal Institution Christmas Lectures|Royal Institution Christmas Lecture]] on ''Exploration of the Universe''.
{{Div col end}}

==Personal life==
In their early years Ryle and his elder brother received lessons at home in carpentry<ref name="frs"/>{{rp|498}} and manual skills became important for him throughout his life. This was for relaxation – he built boats to his own design<ref name="frs"/>{{rp|498}} – and professionally. In his wartime radar work,<ref>Ryle M. (1985) "D-13:some personal memories of 24th–28th May 1944". ''IEE Proceedings'' '''132''' (6 October): 438–440.</ref> his post-war radio-telescope building<ref name="frs"/>{{rp|510}} and his late researches into wind energy<ref name="frs"/>{{rp|517}} he was a hands-on practical engineer as well as a scientist.

Ryle had a lifelong interest in sailing<ref name="frs"/>{{rp|498}} and this matched his choice when in the 1970s he turned his research subject from astronomy to wind energy.<ref name="MEL">Longair, M. ''Maxwell's Enduring Legacy: a scientific history of the Cavendish laboratory''. Cambridge University Press, 2016.</ref>{{rp|420–422}}

In his youth, Ryle became an amateur radio operator. While still at school (Bradfield College) he built his own transmitter and obtained a Post Office licence to operate it,<ref name="frs"/>{{rp|498–499}} with the callsign G3CY. As undergraduate he was a leading member of the Oxford University Wireless Society (callsign G3MM).<ref name="shotover.clara.net"/>

In 1936 the family moved to a house in Cambridge which became Ryle's home after the war. In 1947 he and Rowena Palmer married, and they lived in this house for rest of his life. They had three children, born in 1949, 1951 and 1952. Ryle died on 14 October 1984, in Cambridge. He was celebrated on a first class stamp issued in 2009 as part of an Eminent Britons set.<ref name="stamp">[https://rmspecialstamps.com/collections/eminent-britons/ Eminent Britons stamp set]</ref> Lady Rowena Ryle died in 2013.

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
*{{commons category-inline}}
*{{Wikiquote-inline}}
* {{Nobelprize}} including the Nobel Lecture, 12 December 1974 ''Radio Telescopes of Large Resolving Power''

{{Astronomers Royal}}
{{Nobel Prize in Physics Laureates 1951-1975}}
{{1974 Nobel Prize winners}}
{{Radio-astronomy}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ryle, Martin}}
[[Category:1918 births]]
[[Category:1984 deaths]]
[[Category:Scientists from Brighton]]
[[Category:Alumni of Christ Church, Oxford]]
[[Category:Alumni of Trinity College, Cambridge]]
[[Category:Astronomers Royal]]
[[Category:20th-century English astronomers]]
[[Category:English physicists]]
[[Category:Knights Bachelor]]
[[Category:Nobel laureates in Physics]]
[[Category:People educated at Bradfield College]]
[[Category:Royal Medal winners]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society]]
[[Category:Fellows of the Royal Society]]
[[Category:Foreign associates of the National Academy of Sciences]]
[[Category:Radio astronomers]]
[[Category:English Nobel laureates]]
[[Category:Spectroscopists]]
[[Category:20th-century British physicists]]