John Charlton Polkinghorne (October 16, 1930 - )

  • John Polkinghorne - Birth

    Born in Weston-super-Mare, United Kingdom The Rev. John Charlton Polkinghorne is an English theoretical physicist, theologian, writer, and Anglican priest. He was professor of Mathematical Physics at the University of Cambridge, he became an ordained Anglican priest. He served as the president of Queens' College, Cambridge from 1968 to 1979.
  • Received Bachelors degree

    Earned his bachelors degree in Mathematics from Trinity College, Cambridge
  • Received Masters degree

    Earned his Masters degree in Mathematics from Trinity College, Cambridge
  • Received his Doctorate degree

    Earned his Doctorate degree in quantum field theoy from Trinity College, Cambridge
  • Received second Doctorate degree

    Earned his second Doctorate degree in Theoretical Elementary Particle Physics from Trinity College, Cambridge
  • Named Fellow of the Royal Scoiety

    Was named a Fellow of the Royal Society, the scientific academy to which Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, and Stephen Hawking have also all been admitted.
  • Anglican Priest

    Became an ordained Anglican priest Polkinghorne has stated during numerous interviews that science and religion should not be at odds. But they should be working together to interpret and understand the way the world is.
  • Society of Ordained Scientists

    Polkinghorne was a founding member of the Society of Ordained Scientists and served as president of the society.
  • President of Queens' College, Cambridge

    President of Queens’ College, Cambridge from 1988 until 1996
  • Knight commander of the Order of the Brtish Empire (KBE)

    Knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his distinguished service to science, religion, learning, and medical ethics.
  • PBS Interview

    In an interview Polkinghorne states something similar with the context of music. The description he presented was a scientist with give you all of scientific description for music, the vibrations in the air, and how they travel, etc. Very legitimate statements, but it misses the mystery, the beauty of the music. The same goes with science and religion, science can explain all the facts, but misses the some of the humanity, some things just can’t be explained by science.
  • The Templeton Prize

    Received the Templeton Prize for progress toward research or discoveries about spiritual realities.
  • Quantum Physics and Theology: An Unexpected Kinship

    Quantum Physics and Theology: An Unexpected Kinship
    In Polkinghorne’s book Physics and Theology, he talks about his thoughts on how physics and theology should complement each other. Physics should answer the questions, but theology should bring those discoveries to a boarder and deeper context.