11 May 1918 – 15 Feb 1988
Richard Feynman was jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1965 for his work on quantum electrodynamics (QED). He was a world famous, in his lifetime, theoretical physicist who made notable contributions to quantum mechanics, QED, particle physics, the superfluidity of supercooled liquid helium and the development of the atom bomb.
He was a rare physicist who could communicate and educate effectively across a broad range of subjects and academic abilities. He developed a widely used pictorial scheme for the behaviour of subatomic particles and was the author of the brilliant and groundbreaking three volume set, The Feynman Lectures on Physics.
Born in Queens, New York, USA, on 11 May 1918, he died, aged 69 in Los Angeles, California, USA on 15 Feb 1988.