Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
Sir James Lighthill
Table of Contents
Introduction References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics
Quizzes
Equations written on blackboard
Numbers and Mathematics
Read Next
Peregrine falcon in flight
What Is the Most Aerodynamic Animal?
bunch of numbers
Unusual Counting Systems
number zero, 0 balloon
Is Zero an Even or an Odd Number?
Discover
Panama Canal infographic
Timeline and Map of the Panama Canal
Srinivasa Ramanujan, Indian mathematician and autodidact.
6 Interesting Facts about Srinivasa Ramanujan
Facsimile of one of William Henry Ireland's forgeries, a primitive self-portrait of William Shakespeare(tinted engraving). Published for Samuel Ireland, Norfolk Street, Strand, December 1, 1795. (W.H. Ireland, forgery)
The Time a Law Clerk Successfully Forged a New Shakespeare Play to Impress His Dad
A mug shot taken by the regional Colombia control agency in Medellin
Pablo Escobar: 8 Interesting Facts About the King of Cocaine
Stylish light blue jeans on wooden background, closeup of inset pocket
Why Do Jeans Have That Tiny Pocket?
Saint Lucia Day. Young girl wears Lucia crown (tinsel halo) with candles. Holds Saint Lucia Day currant laced saffron buns (lussekatter or Lucia's cats). Observed December 13 honor virgin martyr Santa Lucia (St. Lucy). Luciadagen, Christmas, Sweden
7 Winter Solstice Celebrations From Around the World
Fish. Lionfish. Lion-fish. Turkey fish. Fire-fish. Red lionfish. Pterois volitans. Venomous fin spines. Coral reefs. Underwater. Ocean. Red lionfish swims by seaweed.
10 of the World’s Most Dangerous Fish

Sir James Lighthill

British mathematician
Share
Share to social media
URL
https://mainten.top/biography/James-Lighthill
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Also known as: Sir Michael James Lighthill
Written by
Erik Gregersen
Erik Gregersen is a senior editor at Encyclopaedia Britannica, specializing in the physical sciences and technology. Before joining Britannica in 2007, he worked at the University of Chicago Press on the...
Erik Gregersen
Fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Article History
Quick Facts
In full:
Sir Michael James Lighthill
Born:
Jan. 23, 1924, Paris, France
Died:
July 17, 1998, Sark, Channel Islands (aged 74)
Awards And Honors:
Copley Medal (1998)
See all related content

Sir James Lighthill (born Jan. 23, 1924, Paris, France—died July 17, 1998, Sark, Channel Islands) was a British mathematician who was considered one of the greatest mathematicians of the 20th century. His innovative contributions to such fields as applied mathematics, aerodynamics, astrophysics, and fluid mechanics found such applications as the design of the supersonic Concorde jetliner and noise reduction in jet engines. In 1936 Lighthill entered secondary school at Winchester College. There he befriended Freeman Dyson, a fellow student who was equally passionate about mathematics. Both Dyson and Lighthill won scholarships to Trinity College, Cambridge, when they were 15. However, ...(100 of 525 words)

Access the full article
Help support true facts by becoming a member.