Tributes have poured in for Sir Francis Graham-Smith, one of the last remaining pioneers of radio astronomy, who has died aged 102.
He leaves behind a legacy that spans radar development in wartime Britain to shaping the international reputation of Jodrell Bank Observatory.
His death marks the end of an era. Believed to be the world’s oldest active radio astronomer, Sir Francis was still publishing work into his 100s, his latest article appearing in Astronomy & Geophysics just months ago.
Sir Francis Graham-Smith
Over a career that spanned more than seven decades, Sir Francis not only witnessed the birth of radio astronomy, he helped invent it. He worked alongside some of the greatest scientific minds of the 20th century, including Sir Martin Ryle and Sir Bernard Lovell, and went on to hold some of the highest honours in the field.
Between 1982 and 1990, he held the prestigious title of Astronomer Royal, an appointment reserved for the UK’s most eminent astronomers. He was knighted in 1986.
“Sir Francis was a towering figure in British astronomy,” said Professor Andrew Lyne, emeritus professor of radio astronomy at The University of Manchester and a former student. “His career spanned much of the history of radio astronomy itself, and as a teacher and mentor he enhanced the lives of many scientists, myself included.”
Born on 25 April 1923, Francis Graham-Smith was educated at Rossall School before heading to Downing College, Cambridge, in 1941. His studies were interrupted by World War II, during which he contributed to the development of radar—a technology that would lay the groundwork for his later astronomical breakthroughs. After the war, he returned to Cambridge and joined forces with Martin Ryle to begin pioneering the new science of radio astronomy.
He quickly made his mark, helping develop interferometry techniques that allowed for precise positioning of cosmic radio sources. These contributions laid the foundation for understanding pulsars and the interstellar medium, two areas in which Sir Francis would remain deeply engaged for the rest of his life.
Sir Francis at Manchester University
In 1964, he was appointed Professor of Radio Astronomy at the University of Manchester and took up residence at Jodrell Bank Observatory. Eighteen years later, he succeeded Sir Bernard Lovell as Director of the site, by then an international centre of astronomical excellence. Under his leadership, Jodrell Bank continued to thrive as a world-class research hub.
The observatory paid tribute to Sir Francis following news of his passing, describing his contribution as “immeasurable” and praising his role in preserving its “continued international scientific excellence.”
Though he formally retired in 1988, Sir Francis never truly stepped away from the work he loved. He remained a central figure in the observatory’s pulsar research group, continuing to inspire colleagues well into his centenarian years.
What were Sir Francis Graham-Smith’s scientific achievements?
Beyond his scientific accomplishments, Graham-Smith was also a gifted communicator and author. His bibliography includes key works such as Optics (with J.H. Thompson), Pulsar Astronomy (with Andrew Lyne), and An Introduction to Radio Astronomy (with Bernard Burke and Peter Wilkinson). He even found time to publish Unseen Cosmos and Eyes on the Sky in his later years, books that reflect his lifelong wonder at the universe and his desire to share it with others.
In a lighter moment that hinted at his humour and generosity of spirit, he once appeared on Channel 4’s Treasure Hunt, giving presenter Anneka Rice a piggyback to help her reach a hidden clue at Jodrell Bank.
Away from the telescope, Sir Francis was a passionate gardener and a devoted beekeeper. He looked after the hives at Jodrell Bank well into his 90s and inspired the formation of the St Andrews Amateur Beekeeping Society. He and his wife Elizabeth, whom he met in the early days of radio astronomy in Cambridge, lived for decades in the Old School House in Henbury, Cheshire. The couple were married for 76 years until Elizabeth’s death in 2021. They had four children together.
Throughout his life, Sir Francis remained deeply connected to the community. He was a President of the Macclesfield Astronomical Society, a patron of the Mansfield and Sutton Astronomical Society, and a proud supporter of Humanists UK.
Graham-Smith celebrated his 100th birthday in April 2023 surrounded by friends and family. At the time, colleagues marvelled at his sharp mind, insatiable curiosity, and unwavering commitment to science.
You can find out more about Sir Francis Graham-Smith by clicking here
