Oral history of British science
Higgins, Julia (Part 1 of 9). An Oral History of British Science.
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Type
sound
Duration
00:45:23
Shelf mark
C1379/55
Subjects
Materials Science; Scientific Instruments
Recording date
2011-07-06
Recording locations
The British Library
Interviewees
Higgins, Julia, 1942- (speaker, female)
Interviewers
Lean, Thomas (speaker, male)
Abstract
Part 1: Introduces self: retired Imperial College chemical engineering professor; outlines career, sitting Physics at Oxford, Chemistry department at Manchester, Grenoble research reactor, teaching; born Surbiton, grew up in New Malden Surrey; father civil servant, mother teacher; anecdote about father's hopes for her to go university. [01:30] Remarks on: paternal grandfather's background; father's civil service career in Greater London Council and Scotland Yard; maternal grandfather, Irish immigrant who worked in retail; JH born 1942, early memory of air-raid sirens and shelter, VE day flag, bomb sites; attended Catholic school; younger sister, and two brothers, and their careers. [05:15] Comments on father: George Stretton Downs, dark and good looking; intelligent, read classics at school; JH suspecting he would have made a good scientist; JH mother a nature study teacher and scientific occupations of JH siblings; father's logical nature; attending Manisa House Jesuit college school and enjoying sport, reading, 'The Times' crossword; asthmatic; [09:40] charming personality, interested in people, kind, hardworking good man, enjoyed retirement; money tight when JH growing up, spent on children's education; story about grandparents finding the money for JH to attend a reading party; father's increased salary as he got promoted. [12:00] Remarks about: money being tight in childhood; dresses home made until later in JH's life; JH enjoying doing things with hands, cooking, art and woodwork at school, evening classes in pottery and other practical art activities. [16:50] Discussion about childhood interests, JH considering it boring, reading many books, such as history books, Arthur Ransome stories and 'Ballet Shoes', happy childhood. [21:35] Remarks on mother: Irish family name Gavigun; siblings; teacher in East end of London before marriage; evacuated with school children to rural Devon; old family car; JH really enjoying history and family history; mother dying suddenly at 73; JH maternal great-grandmother Ferry stewardess, married ship's engineer; anecdote about mother teacher JH to swim; mother's contradictory attitudes toward people; father quite right wing. [25:40] Remarks on: father reading 'The Times'; JH early memories of news; anecdote about teacher's thoughts on JH family; [27:40] father joining supporters of Ursuline Convent School Wimbledon group. [28:50] Remarks on mother: went grey early; physical description; shy; good plain cook, with reference to a recent Jenny Uglow history of cookery books; taught JH cooking; importance of family; liked dancing when younger. [32:50] Description of Edwardian family home in New Malden; afternoon tea in garden; parents' left on retirement; JH love of living room. [36:15] Remarks on family life: busy; ballet classes; arguments with younger brother; anecdote about brother horrifying JH with Maggots. [39:45] Remarks on siblings: younger sister Frances, very different to JH, studied maths at Sussex, became maths teacher, married maths teacher; brother Giles, architect, helped rebuild Windsor Castle; youngest brother Nicholas;, works in computing; childhood playing arrangements; family holidays and holidays in Bognor Regis, Devon, Wales, and North Downs.
Description
Interview with polymer scientist and physicist Professor Dame Julia Higgins
Related transcripts
Professor Dame Julia Higgins interviewed by Dr Thomas Lean: full transcript of the interview
Metadata record:
Higgins, Julia (Part 1 of 9). An Oral History of British Science.
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