Ernest Arthur Bell
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ernest Arthur Bell CB (20 June 1926 – 11 June 2006)[1][2] was an English botanist and chemist who was Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew from 1981 to 1988,[2] the first biochemist to be appointed to the post.[2]
Arthur Bell was born at Gosforth, Northumberland and was educated at Dame Allan's School, Newcastle upon Tyne.[2] He took a degree in Chemistry at Durham University and was awarded a doctorate at Trinity College Dublin in 1950.[2][3]
Professional career
Bell started his career at ICI in 1946, as a research chemist. In 1947 he took up a research post at Trinity College, Dublin. In 1949 he became a lecturer in Biochemistry at King's College London, where he became Professor of Biology and head of the Department of Plant Sciences in 1972.[2] He was vice-president of the Linnean Society from 1982 to 1986.[1]
Honours
He was appointed a Companion of The Most Honourable Order of the Bath in 1987.[2] In 1990 he was made an honorary fellow of Trinity College Dublin.[4]
