The Cavendish Professorship is one of the senior faculty positions in physics at the University of Cambridge. It was founded on 9 February 1871 alongside the famous Cavendish Laboratory, which was completed three years later. William Cavendish, 7th Duke of Devonshire endowed both the professorship and laboratory in honour of his relative, chemist and physicist Henry Cavendish.
History
Creation of the Cavendish Laboratory
thumb|right|The old [[Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge, England]]
Before the middle of the nineteenth century, science was largely pursued by individuals, either wealthy amateurs or academics working in their college accommodation. In 1869, a committee formed by the Senate reported that creating a dedicated Laboratory and Professorship would cost £6,300.<!----> The then chancellor of the university, William Cavendish met that cost privately 18months later, and named the department in honour of his relative, the 18th century natural philosopher Henry Cavendish. Maxwell's health deteriorated a short time into his tenure, and he died in 1879, aged 48.
Lord Rayleigh
John William Strutt, 3rd Baron Rayleigh replaced Maxwell immediately upon his death, being universally agreed upon as the only successor. In 1895, a change was made to the university regulations which allowed students who had not studied at Cambridge to receive a B.A. by submitting a thesis which was judged "of distinction as a record of original research." This was around the time of the change from classical to modern physics, and Rutherford was something of a contradiction, dressing as a Victorian gentleman but working on the cutting edge of physics. Work on neutron physics performed at this time was translated into the Manhattan Project to build an atom bomb.
Until 1979, the holder of the Cavendish Professorship implicitly held the role of head of the Physics Department at the Cavendish Laboratory. The two positions were separated in 1979, when Alan Cook became the first explicitly appointed Head of Department.
List of Cavendish Professors
There have been ten Cavendish Professors since its inception:
- Nicola Marzari (2025–)