Contribution by:
Natalie and Fiona
10Cp, St Mary's College, Wellington
Ernest Rutherford was born on the 30th of August 1871 in Nelson, New Zealand. His Father James worked at Ernest's Grandfathers engineering company, later set up flax mills. His mother Martha was a teacher as had been her mother. His parents were married in 1866. Ernest was the fourth son born of twelve children. At school he showed an ability in maths, so his teacher encouraged him with extra work to extend his mind. The family encouraged Ernest with books, conversation and learning.
He attended college in Nelson when he was 16 and obtained a University scholarship at the age of 18. Ernest went to Canterbury college from which he graduated with honours in 1984. He finished his studies at Canterbury 1895 and sailed to England for further studies, at Cambridge University. In 1900 he returned to New Zealand to marry Mary Newton, they went to live in Toronto, where Rutherford was the professor of physics at McGill University. Ernest returned to England where where he continued his research into atomic physics while Professor of phsics at Manchester University in 1907.
In 1908 he was awarded the Nobel prize in chemistry which was presented to him in Stockholm, Sweden. In 1911 he lay the foundation for nuclear physics (Rutherford's nuclear theory). He received Knighthood in 1914 and was appointed director of Cavendish laboratory, Cambridge.
In 1932 Rutherford's theories were proved in "Split Atom" experiments. From 1900 to 1940 was a time of great theoretical and experimental physics which Ernest Rutherford was largely responsible for in England.
He was inspirational in the 1890's he studied hard in New Zealand and was able to go to England and make a name for himself, in his successes as a scientist of world wide calibre. He had a great interest in learning, absorbing new information and determination to study and continue studying even extending the boundaries of knowledge, though he also enjoyed outdoor activities during his life. He died in 1937.