Andrew Lang

The academic legacy of Professor Andrew Lang (Physics 1944) is continuing thanks to his legacy to the University of Exeter. Professor Lang sadly passed away on June 30, 2008.

As Emeritus Professor of Physics at the University of Bristol, the academic had a distinguished career and pioneered studies in X-ray diffraction physics. He was an expert on crystal physics and was widely recognised for his development of the technique of x-ray topography.

Professor Lang embarked on his academic career after he obtained a First-Class Honours degree in Physics at The University College of the South West of England, the predecessor to the University of Exeter, in 1944. He gained an MSc in 1947, a Cambridge PhD, and went on to lead a very successful career in academia.

Throughout his life he was a strong supporter of many charities, including the University of Exeter. In his Will, he made a bequest to support investment in the University library amounting to £91,153. He said the reason he wanted to support the library was that one of the most important lessons he learnt at University was how to study alone.