Willis Jackson, Baron Jackson of Burnley
Encyclopedia
Willis Jackson, Baron Jackson of Burnley FRS
(29 October 1904 – 17 February 1970) was a British
technologist and electrical engineer.
, he was the only son of Herbert Jackson and his wife Annie Hiley. Jackson was educated at Rosegrove Primary School and the Burnley Grammar School
until 1922 and read electrical engineering at the Victoria University of Manchester
until 1925. He obtained a Bachelor of Science
first class, having previously won three different scholarships. Jackson studied then under Robert Beattie, graduating with a Master of Science
in 1926.
Jackson held two honorary degree as Doctor of Science
awarded by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich and by the University of Bristol
. He was made an honorary Doctor of Engineering
by the University of Sheffield
and received a Doctor of Laws by the University of Aberdeen
as well as by the University of Leeds
in 1967. He was granted an honorary fellowship by the City and Guilds of London Institute
and by the Institution of Electrical Engineers
in 1968. In the same year the University of Dundee
conferred upon him another honorary degree and he was elected a fellow by the Royal College of Art
.
. Jackson lectured at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology from 1930 and subsequently at The Queen's College, Oxford
from 1933.
He graduated as Doctor of Philosophy
at the University of Oxford
and as Doctor of Science at Manchester in 1936. Afterwards he became again employed at Vickers working as research engineer for the next two years and then obtained a professorship in electrotechnics at his former university. In 1946, he moved to the Imperial College London
as professor for electrical engineering. Jackson was elected a fellow of the Royal Society
in 1953 and joined again Vickers as director of its research and education department, a post he held until 1961.
Jackson was knighted in 1958. He served as president of the Institution of Electrical Engineers
in the following two years until 1960 and after another year became president of the Association of Supervising Electrical Engineers. For four years Jackson chaired the governing body of the Royal Technical Institute, Salford (now the University of Salford) until 1962. He returned to the Imperial College in 1961, heading its Department of Electrical Engineering until his death in 1970; for the last three years he was the College's pro-rector. In 1962 he entered the South Eastern Electricity Board.
in which he sat for four years; he served another term from 1950. He was a member of the Central Advisory Council to the Ministry of Education
from 1945 and of the Scientific Advisory Council to the Ministry of Supply
from 1947. A year later Jackson was admitted to BBC
's Engineering Advisory Committee and in 1951 to the Committee of Selection to the Commonwealth Fund Fellowships.
He became a member of the Royal Commission on the Civil Service in 1953. Two years later in 1955 Jackson joined the University Grants Committee
, whose membership he held for a decade. In the same year he sat in the Ministry of Education's Council of Technological Awards. Jackson was nominated a chairman of the Ministry's Committee on Supply and Training of Technical Teachers in 1956. He chaired the FBI Research Committee of 1958 and became a member of the Committee on Management of Research, run by the Lord President of the Council
.
In September 1961, he was invited to the Advisory Council on Scientific Policy and to the Scientific Manpower Committee. Jackson was chosen president of the British Association for Commercial and Industrial Education in 1962 and entered the Advisory Council for Technical Education for Overseas Countries. He received a life peer
age with the title Baron Jackson of Burnley, of Burnley, in the County Palatine of Lancaster
on 19 January 1967.
; they had two daughters.
One of Jackson's closest friends was the physicist John F. Allen
. In his last years he supported the development of the Indian Institutes of Technology
.
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
(29 October 1904 – 17 February 1970) was a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
technologist and electrical engineer.
Background and education
Born in BurnleyBurnley
Burnley is a market town in the Burnley borough of Lancashire, England, with a population of around 73,500. It lies north of Manchester and east of Preston, at the confluence of the River Calder and River Brun....
, he was the only son of Herbert Jackson and his wife Annie Hiley. Jackson was educated at Rosegrove Primary School and the Burnley Grammar School
Burnley Grammar School
Burnley Grammar School was latterly, a state-funded selective boys grammar School, situated in Byron Street in Burnley, England. However during its long history, it moved between a number of sites in the town.-History:...
until 1922 and read electrical engineering at the Victoria University of Manchester
Victoria University of Manchester
The Victoria University of Manchester was a university in Manchester, England. On 1 October 2004 it merged with the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology to form a new entity, "The University of Manchester".-1851 - 1951:The University was founded in 1851 as Owens College,...
until 1925. He obtained a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
first class, having previously won three different scholarships. Jackson studied then under Robert Beattie, graduating with a Master of Science
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
in 1926.
Jackson held two honorary degree as Doctor of Science
Doctor of Science
Doctor of Science , usually abbreviated Sc.D., D.Sc., S.D. or Dr.Sc., is an academic research degree awarded in a number of countries throughout the world. In some countries Doctor of Science is the name used for the standard doctorate in the sciences, elsewhere the Sc.D...
awarded by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich and by the University of Bristol
University of Bristol
The University of Bristol is a public research university located in Bristol, United Kingdom. One of the so-called "red brick" universities, it received its Royal Charter in 1909, although its predecessor institution, University College, Bristol, had been in existence since 1876.The University is...
. He was made an honorary Doctor of Engineering
Doctor of Engineering
The Doctor of Engineering is an academic degree awarded on the basis of advanced study and research in engineering or applied sciences...
by the University of Sheffield
University of Sheffield
The University of Sheffield is a research university based in the city of Sheffield in South Yorkshire, England. It is one of the original 'red brick' universities and is a member of the Russell Group of leading research intensive universities...
and received a Doctor of Laws by the University of Aberdeen
University of Aberdeen
The University of Aberdeen, an ancient university founded in 1495, in Aberdeen, Scotland, is a British university. It is the third oldest university in Scotland, and the fifth oldest in the United Kingdom and wider English-speaking world...
as well as by the University of Leeds
University of Leeds
The University of Leeds is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England...
in 1967. He was granted an honorary fellowship by the City and Guilds of London Institute
City and Guilds of London Institute
The City and Guilds of London Institute is a leading United Kingdom vocational education organisation. City & Guilds offers more than 500 qualifications over the whole range of industry sectors through 8500 colleges and training providers in 81 countries worldwide...
and by the Institution of Electrical Engineers
Institution of Electrical Engineers
The Institution of Electrical Engineers was a British professional organisation of electronics, electrical, manufacturing, and Information Technology professionals, especially electrical engineers. The I.E.E...
in 1968. In the same year the University of Dundee
University of Dundee
The University of Dundee is a university based in the city and Royal burgh of Dundee on eastern coast of the central Lowlands of Scotland and with a small number of institutions elsewhere....
conferred upon him another honorary degree and he was elected a fellow by the Royal College of Art
Royal College of Art
The Royal College of Art is an art school located in London, United Kingdom. It is the world’s only wholly postgraduate university of art and design, offering the degrees of Master of Arts , Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy...
.
Vocational career
After his education, Jackson became lecturer in electical engineering first at the Bradford Technical College (now the University of Bradford) until 1929. In the following year he worked as apprentice for the electrical company Metropolitan-VickersMetropolitan-Vickers
Metropolitan-Vickers, Metrovick, or Metrovicks, was a British heavy electrical engineering company of the early-to-mid 20th century formerly known as British Westinghouse. Highly diversified, they were particularly well known for their industrial electrical equipment such as generators, steam...
. Jackson lectured at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology from 1930 and subsequently at The Queen's College, Oxford
The Queen's College, Oxford
The Queen's College, founded 1341, is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. Queen's is centrally situated on the High Street, and is renowned for its 18th-century architecture...
from 1933.
He graduated as Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
at the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
and as Doctor of Science at Manchester in 1936. Afterwards he became again employed at Vickers working as research engineer for the next two years and then obtained a professorship in electrotechnics at his former university. In 1946, he moved to the Imperial College London
Imperial College London
Imperial College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom, specialising in science, engineering, business and medicine...
as professor for electrical engineering. Jackson was elected a fellow of the Royal Society
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
in 1953 and joined again Vickers as director of its research and education department, a post he held until 1961.
Jackson was knighted in 1958. He served as president of the Institution of Electrical Engineers
Institution of Electrical Engineers
The Institution of Electrical Engineers was a British professional organisation of electronics, electrical, manufacturing, and Information Technology professionals, especially electrical engineers. The I.E.E...
in the following two years until 1960 and after another year became president of the Association of Supervising Electrical Engineers. For four years Jackson chaired the governing body of the Royal Technical Institute, Salford (now the University of Salford) until 1962. He returned to the Imperial College in 1961, heading its Department of Electrical Engineering until his death in 1970; for the last three years he was the College's pro-rector. In 1962 he entered the South Eastern Electricity Board.
Political career
In 1944 Jackson was appointed to the Radio Research Board of the Department of Scientific and Industrial ResearchDepartment of Scientific and Industrial Research
Several countries have organizations called the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, abbreviated DSIR.-United Kingdom:...
in which he sat for four years; he served another term from 1950. He was a member of the Central Advisory Council to the Ministry of Education
Ministry of Education (United Kingdom)
The administration of education policy in the United Kingdom began in the 19th century. Official mandation of education began with the Elementary Education Act 1870 for England and Wales, and the Education Act 1872 for Scotland...
from 1945 and of the Scientific Advisory Council to the Ministry of Supply
Ministry of Supply
The Ministry of Supply was a department of the UK Government formed in 1939 to co-ordinate the supply of equipment to all three British armed forces, headed by the Minister of Supply. There was, however, a separate ministry responsible for aircraft production and the Admiralty retained...
from 1947. A year later Jackson was admitted to BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
's Engineering Advisory Committee and in 1951 to the Committee of Selection to the Commonwealth Fund Fellowships.
He became a member of the Royal Commission on the Civil Service in 1953. Two years later in 1955 Jackson joined the University Grants Committee
University Grants Committee (UK)
The University Grants Committee was an advisory committee of the British government, which advised on the distribution of grant funding amongst the British universities. It was in existence from 1919 until 1989...
, whose membership he held for a decade. In the same year he sat in the Ministry of Education's Council of Technological Awards. Jackson was nominated a chairman of the Ministry's Committee on Supply and Training of Technical Teachers in 1956. He chaired the FBI Research Committee of 1958 and became a member of the Committee on Management of Research, run by the Lord President of the Council
Lord President of the Council
The Lord President of the Council is the fourth of the Great Officers of State of the United Kingdom, ranking beneath the Lord High Treasurer and above the Lord Privy Seal. The Lord President usually attends each meeting of the Privy Council, presenting business for the monarch's approval...
.
In September 1961, he was invited to the Advisory Council on Scientific Policy and to the Scientific Manpower Committee. Jackson was chosen president of the British Association for Commercial and Industrial Education in 1962 and entered the Advisory Council for Technical Education for Overseas Countries. He received a life peer
Life peer
In the United Kingdom, life peers are appointed members of the Peerage whose titles cannot be inherited. Nowadays life peerages, always of baronial rank, are created under the Life Peerages Act 1958 and entitle the holders to seats in the House of Lords, presuming they meet qualifications such as...
age with the title Baron Jackson of Burnley, of Burnley, in the County Palatine of Lancaster
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
on 19 January 1967.
Personal life
In 1938 he married Mary, daughter of Robert Oliphant Boswall, a lecturer in mechanical engineeringMechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the...
; they had two daughters.
One of Jackson's closest friends was the physicist John F. Allen
John F. Allen (physicist)
John "Jack" Frank Allen was a Canadian-born physicist. Along with Pyotr Leonidovich Kapitsa and Don Misener, Allen discovered the superfluid phase of matter in 1937 using liquid helium in the Royal Society Mond Laboratory in Cambridge, England...
. In his last years he supported the development of the Indian Institutes of Technology
Indian Institutes of Technology
The Indian Institutes of Technology are a group of autonomous engineering and technology-oriented institutes of higher education. The IITs are governed by the Institutes of Technology Act, 1961 which has declared them as “institutions of national importance”, and lays down their powers, duties,...
.