• DOI:10.1098/rsbm.1987.0018
• Corpus ID: 45354172

John Turton Randall, 23 March 1905 - 16 June 1984

@article{Wilkins1987JohnTR,
  title={John Turton Randall, 23 March 1905 - 16 June 1984},
  author={Maurice H. F. Wilkins},
  journal={Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society},
  year={1987},
  pages={491 - 535}
}

• M. Wilkins
• Published 1 December 1987
• Education
• Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society

John Randall was an unusual scientist who made outstanding contributions in three very different areas of science. First he made his mark in solid-state physics. Next, for radar he invented (with H. A. H. Boot) the cavity magnetron, which was probably the most decisive contribution of science to the winning of World War II. Lastly, and most significantly, he entered biology and built up a biophysics laboratory that was a world leader in pioneering the new area of molecular biology and contributed to both the discovery of the DNA double helix and of the sliding filament mechanism of muscle contraction. Randall’s success derived from his exceptional energy, foresight and sound judgement. Although an original and even somewhat maverick scientist, he had a very shrewd understanding of how established society worked and, as a result, he achieved great success as a scientific entrepreneur, fund-raiser and administrator. But he was never content with such success and his greatest enthusiasm was always for personal engagement in laboratory work. It is sometimes claimed that creativity springs from contradiction; the aspect of contrast in Randall’s personality and in his work in some ways supports that idea. I began research as a Ph.D. student studying luminescence under Randall, was fairly closely in touch with him during his magnetron work and also worked in his laboratory for nearly all of his biological period (except for his characteristically active retirement). My career depended much on him, and between us there was an undercurrent of father and son relationship. As a result I do not feel I can be wholly objective about him. Therefore, while I give here primarily my own impressions, I also give those of others and quote directly from Randall’s Personal Record written 1962-68 (all unnumbered quotes are from the Record).