Freeman Dyson was a theoretical physicist who has made pioneering contributions to his field without respite for the past eight decades. Amongst his most significant achievements as a young researcher was the demonstration that separate formulations of quantum electrodynamics — the physical theory explaining the interaction of charged particles — were in fact identical.
Always keen to explore the practical applications of his research, Freeman was a leading figure in early nuclear reactor design and wroten extensively about the potential for the colonisation of space. An accomplished mathematician, he conducted valuable research in areas as diverse as topology and number theory, and published an important new analysis on the prisoner’s dilemma.
One of the most distinguished physicists of our time, Freeman was awarded 21 honorary doctorates and numerous awards, including the prestigious Wolf Prize for Physics and the Henri Poincaré Prize for contributions to mathematical physics. He was also a successful communicator of science, having written numerous popular scientific articles for newspapers and magazines.
Professor Freeman Dyson FRS died on 28 February 2020.
Awards
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Wolf Prize
In the field of physics for their outstanding contributions to theoretical physics, especially in the development and application of the quantum theory of fields.
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Hughes Medal
For his distinguished fundamental work in theoretical physics, and especially on quantum electrodynamics.
