Tolansky , Samuel , 1907-1973 , physicist

Born Samuel Turlausky in 1907; educated Rutherford College, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1919-1925, and Armstrong College, Durham University, 1925-1928; studied for Diploma in the Theory and Practice of Teaching, Armstrong College, Durham University, 1928-1929; Fellow of King's College, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1929-1931; Earl Grey Fellowship, 1931, enabling him to travel to Berlin, Germany; 1851 Exhibition Senior Student, Imperial College, University of London, 1952-1954; Assistant Lecturer, 1934-1937, Lecturer, 1937-1945, Senior Lecturer, 1945-1946, and Reader, 1946-1947, in Physics, Manchester University; awarded C.V. Boys Prize for contributions to optics by the London Physical Society, 1948; Professor of Physics, Royal Holloway College, University of London, 1947-1973; Principal Investigator to NASA Lunar Project; Member of the Scientific Advisory Committee, National Gallery; Member of the Senate, University of London; Member of the Council, Royal Scientific Association; Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, 1947; Fellow of the Royal Society, 1952; Silver Medallist, Royal Scientific Association, 1961; Honorary Member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, 1966; Honorary Fellow, Royal Microscopical Society, 1970; died 1973.

Publications: editor of Practical handbook on spectral analysis (Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1964); An introduction to interferometry (Longmans, Green and Co, London, 1955); Curiosities of light rays and light waves (Veneda Publishing, London, 1964); Fine structure in line spectra and nuclear spin (London, 1935); High resolution spectroscopy (Methuen and Co, London, 1947); Introduction to atomic physics (Longmans and Co, London, 1942); Multiple-beam interferometry of surfaces and films (Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1948); Optical illusions (Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1964); Surface microtopography (Longmans, London, 1960); The history and use of diamond (Methuen and Co, London, 1962); editor of The human eye and the sun: hot and cold light (Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1965); Interference microscopy for the biologist (Thomas, Springfield Illinois,1968); The strategic diamond (Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh, 1968); Revolution in optics (Penguin Books, Harmondsworth, 1968); Microstructures of surfaces using interferometry (Arnold, London, 1968).