Michael Swann
Michael Meredith Swann, Baron Swann, FRS[1] (1920 – 22 September 1990) was a distinguished molecular and cell biologist working on the mechanisms of cell division and fertilisation. He used cell polarisation methods to understand the changes in molecular organisation of the mitotic spindle. With his collaborator Murdoch Mitchison, he found evidence in support of a new theory of cell division. He also collaborated with Victor Rothschild in experiments on changes in membrane structure during fertilisation. The Michael Swann Building at the University of Edinburgh is named after him, where work on cell division and fertilisation continues to this day.
From 1965 to 1974, he was the Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Edinburgh University where he encountered difficulty with students led by Gordon Brown who had unusually been elected as Rector of the University.[2]
He was chairman of the BBC from 1973 to 1980 having been appointed by Conservative Prime Minister Edward Heath, who admired his strong leadership during student protests at Edinburgh University.[3] He was created a life peer in 1981 as Baron Swann, of Coln St Denys in the County of Gloucestershire on 16 February 1981.[4] In 1980 Swann became Provost of Oriel College,[5] and was also Chancellor of the University of York from 1979 until his death.[6]
A portrait of Michael Meredith Swann, 1977 by Bernard Lee ('Bern') Schwartz can be found in the National Portrait Gallery.[7]
[edit] Family
Brother-in-law of Monsignor Graham Leonard
Brother of Hugh Swann, cabinet maker to Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Nephew to Brigadier Vivian Dykes Chief Combined Secretary British Joint Staff Mission Washington 1942
Stepson to Sir Sydney Castle Roberts Secretary of Cambridge University Press, author and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge
[edit] References
- ^ Mitchison, J. M. (1991). "Michael Meredith Swann Baron Swann of Coln Denys. March 1920-22 September 1990". Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society 37: 446–426. doi:10.1098/rsbm.1991.0023.
- ^ Lady Tess Swann: Obituary, The Independent, 13 October 2009
- ^ BBC Chairmen listing The BBC
- ^ Heraldic Media Ltd., Patrick Cracoft-Brennan (Cracroft Peerage Database v5.2) [1]
- ^ Who, Where and When: The History & Constitution of the University of Glasgow Oxford [2]
- ^ Greg Dyke to be Chancellor of the University of York. Notes to Editors section. [3]
- ^ National Portrait Gallery Michael Meredith Swann, Baron Swann
[edit] External links
| Media offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Lord Hill |
Chairman of the BBC Board of Governors 1973–1980 |
Succeeded by George Howard |
| Academic offices | ||
| Preceded by Edward Victor Appleton |
Principals of the University of Edinburgh 1965–1974 |
Succeeded by Hugh Robson (educator) |
| Preceded by Kenneth Clark |
Chancellors of University of York 1979–1990 |
Succeeded by Dame Janet Baker |
