Person Williams; James Gordon; mechanical engineer Williams James Gordon mechanical engineer 1938 - 2024 British Male Bebington, Cheshire, England 13/06/1938 19380613 21/10/2024 20241021

Mechanical engineer Materials Science Engineering Mechanics Fracture mechanics Education: Toxteth Technical Institute, Liverpool (1951); Farnborough Technical College, Hampshire (1956); National Gas Turbine Establishment, Pyestock; Royal Aircraft Establishment, Ministry of Defence; Imperial College London BSc 1961; PhD 1963 Career: Began working in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London (1962); became Chaired Professor (1975); Head of Department (1990-2000). Memberships: ESIS International Congress on Fracture (ICF) Visiting Professor at the EPFL, Switzerland Royal Academy of Engineering (FREng) 1982 Parents: John Williams He completed his PhD with Hugh Ford on the then new topic of mechanical properties of polymers. This proved an inspired choice since polymer science and engineering grew very rapidly, with major companies developing new materials. While his interests included all mechanical properties, over time Gordon's emphasis moved towards fracture and particularly fracture mechanics, a rapidly developing field. He published the book Fracture Mechanics of Polymers in 1982. His interest then broadened to include the fracture of composites and adhesives and to providing standard test methods. Gordon became involved in cutting theory some 15 years ago as a method for measuring the toughness of soft materials, including polymers such as polyethylene but also to foods such as cheese. Biological materials such as gels have been a natural extension of this activity and are a considerable challenge. Royal Society roles: Council: 1998-2000 Committees: Armourers & Brasiers' Company Prize Committee 2002-2005 Summer Science Exhibition Committee 2001-2003 Audit Committee 1998-2006 Sectional Committee 4: Engineering and Materials Science 1994-1997 Fellow 10/03/1994 55 The Royal Society Fellows Directory, Professor Gordon Williams FREng FRS, [URL: https://royalsociety.org/people/gordon-williams-12535/; last accessed: 02/04/2025] Imperial College London, Professor James Gordon Williams, FREng FRS 1938 – 2024, Professor A.J. Kinloch, FREng FRS, [URL: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/mechanical-engineering/about-us/history/remembering-mech-eng-staff/gordon-williams/; last accessed: 02/04/2025] 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=Williams%2C+Gordon RCN 28469 13 Jun 1938 - 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 02/04/2025 as part of the Name Authority Project update. NA6205 21/11/2001 Andyg Martind 06/05/2025 RS_NET\VirginiaM Yes e111f5cb-e98d-4137-833c-36ea551ae328