John Bridgwater FREng (10 January 1938 – May 2021) was a Shell Professor of Chemical Engineering at the

University of Cambridge , mottoeng = Literal: From here, light and sacred draughts. Non literal: From this place, we gain enlightenment and precious knowledge. , established = , other_name = The Chancellor, Masters and Schola ...

.Debretts People of Today Online
John Bridgwater, FREng

Life

Bridgwater was born 10 January 1938 and went to

Solihull School Solihull School is a coeducational Independent school (UK), independent day school in Solihull, West Midlands (county), West Midlands, England. Founded in 1560, it is the oldest school in the town and is a member of the Headmasters' and Headmi ...

. He gained a BA in

chemical engineering Chemical engineering is an engineering field which deals with the study of operation and design of chemical plants as well as methods of improving production. Chemical engineers develop economical commercial processes to convert raw materials int ...

St Catharine's College, Cambridge St Catharine's College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Founded in 1473 as Katharine Hall, it adopted its current name in 1860. The college is nicknamed "Catz". The college is located in the historic city-centre of Camb ...

in 1959, an MSE in chemical engineering at

Princeton University Princeton University is a private university, private research university in Princeton, New Jersey. Founded in 1746 in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Elizabeth as the College of New Jersey, Princeton is the List of Colonial Colleges, fourth-oldest ins ...

in 1961.Chemical Engineering, Cambridge
Prof John Bridgwater He then worked for

Courtaulds Courtaulds was a United Kingdom-based manufacturer of fabric, clothing, artificial fibres, and chemicals. It was established in 1794 and became the world's leading man-made fibre production company before being broken up in 1990 into Courtaulds ...

before returning to Cambridge, becoming a lecturer in 1964 and obtaining a PhD in 1973. In 1980 he took up a post as professor in the School of Chemical Engineering at the

University of Birmingham , mottoeng = Through efforts to heights , established = 1825 – Birmingham School of Medicine and Surgery1836 – Birmingham Royal School of Medicine and Surgery1843 – Queen's College1875 – Mason Science College1898 – Mason Univers ...

, becoming Head of Department from 1983 to 1989,A history of chemical engineering at Birmingham
1980-2000 and Dean of the Faculty from 1989-1992. In 1993 he took up the position of Shell Professor of Chemical Engineering at Cambridge, which he held until his retirement in 2004, being also Head of Department from 1993 to 1998.
/ref> Upon his retirement a symposium was held to celebrate his achievements, particularly in research into

particle science Particle technology is the "science and technology related to the handling and processing of particles and powders." This applies to the production, handling, modification, and use of a wide variety of particulate materials, both wet or dry, in size ...

, where he had authored some 200 papers. He died in May 2021.

Honours

Bridgwater was a Fellow of the

Royal Academy of Engineering The Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng) is the United Kingdom's national academy of engineering. The Academy was founded in June 1976 as the Fellowship of Engineering with support from Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who became the first senior ...

from 1987 and President of the

Institution of Chemical Engineers The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) is a global professional engineering institution with over 33,000 members worldwide. It was founded in 1922 and awarded a Royal Charter in 1957. It has offices in Rugby, London, Melbourne, Wellingto ...

for 1997-8. He was an Emeritus Professor of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology of the University of Cambridge.

References

1938 births 2021 deaths Chemical engineering professors at the University of Cambridge British chemical engineers Fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering Alumni of St Catharine's College, Cambridge Princeton University School of Engineering and Applied Science alumni Academics of the University of Birmingham People educated at Solihull School {{UK-academic-bio-stub