Person Baxter; Rodney James; theoretical physicist Baxter Rodney James theoretical physicist British Male London, England, United Kingdom 08 February 1940 19400208 Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia 20250720 20

Theoretical physicist Physics Theoretical physics Statistical Mechanics Education: Bancroft's School, Essex; Trinity College Cambridge BA; MA; Australian National University PhD Career: Royal Society Research Professor, Cambridge University (1992); Assistant Professor, Massachussetts Institute of Technology (1968-1970); Fellow (1970-1975), Professorial Fellow (1975-1981), Institute of Advanced Studies, Australian National University; Professor, Department of Theoretical Physics, Research School of Physical Sciences, Australian National University (1981) and Professor, School of Mathematical Sciences (1989-2022). Memberships: FAA Awards/Medals: Pawsey Medal, Australian Academy of Science 1975 Thomas Ranken Lyle Medal, Australian Academy of Science 1983 Harrie Massey Medal and Prize, Australian Institute of Physics and Institute of Physics 1994 Centenary Medal - for service to Australian society in mathematical sciences 2001 Parents: Thomas J. Baxter and Florence Baxter. Spouse: (m. 22 June 1968) Elizabeth, daughter of A Phillips. Children: One son and one daughter. Succeeded in giving exact solutions to a variety of problems in statistical mechanics. Their significance lies in the test they offer of any general framework solutions to statistical thermodynamics. In this respect, they have played a role similar to that of Lars Onsager's solution of the two-dimensional Ising model, 70 years ago. The solution of such classical problems as the eight-vertex model and the Potts model, and the discovery of models whose critical indices vary with interaction parameters are major contributions to the mathematical framework of physics and chemistry. This work gained Rodney the Boltzmann Prize of the IUPAP for 1980. Royal Medal 2013 Fellow 18/03/1982 42 Sources: WWA1998 The Royal Society Fellows Directory [URL: https://royalsociety.org/people/rodney-baxter-11058/; last accessed: 20/08/2025] Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation, Baxter, Rodney James (1940 - 2025), [URL: https://www.eoas.info/biogs/P000212b.htm; last accessed: 20/08/2025] International Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families - ISAAR(CPF) - Ottawa 1996 ISBN 0-9696035-3-3 National Council on Archives, Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997 https://royalsocietypublishing.org/action/doSearch?ContribAuthorRaw=Baxter%2C+Rodney+James RCN 13591 8 Feb 1940 - The past Fellows entries are under continuous revision. If you have queries or additional information to contribute, please contact Library@royalsociety.org. Content in external sources is not controlled by the Royal Society and historical sources may include content that is now unacceptable. Reviewed on 20/08/2025 as part of the Name Authority Project update. NA3956 21/11/2001 Andyg pmab 20/08/2025 RS_NET\VidaM Yes 504de9d2-986e-4abf-88ee-be31ae60bb15