Derman Christopherson

Sir Derman Guy Christopherson

Early life and education

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Christopherson was born the son of a clergyman, Derman Christopherson (the vicar of Plumstead in southeast London), and Edith Frances Christopherson. Soon afterwards, the Christopherson family moved to Porlock in Devon, where his father was vicar of Clovelly. As a boy, Christopherson suffered from asthma. He was educated privately until, at age 14, he was sent to Sherborne School in Dorset.

He gained a scholarship at

Christopherson was the first to apply the method in the solution of field differential equations, which later became the most important application. He gained his DPhil in 1941.

War service

In 1941, during World War II, Christopherson was appointed as a Scientific Officer in the Ministry of Home Security, working in the research and experimental department with Sir Reginald Stradling. His work involved investigating the effects of explosives on buildings, shelters, and firefighting. He worked with Solly (later Lord) Zuckerman and Hugh (later Sir Hugh) Cairns on researching helmet designs.^{[citation needed]} He was also with Barnes Wallis and his team during the war.

Academic career

Most of Christopherson's research was conducted at the

Christopherson was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in 1960.^[1] He was also a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering.

Marriage and children

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Christopherson married Frances Edith Tearle in 1940; the couple had five children. Their son, Peter Christopherson (1955-2010), was a musician, video director and designer. Lady Christopherson predeceased her husband in 1988.

Death

Christopherson died on 7 November 2000, aged 85. He was interred with his wife at the

Selected publications

• On being a technologist. London: S.C.M. Press, 1959.
• The University at Work. London: S.C.M. Press, 1973. Published for the University Teachers' Group;
  ISBN 0-334-01734-3
  .

• Derman Christopherson at Find a Grave

References