Main subjects discussed: Central Secondary School, Sheffield; St John's College Oxford; Harold Thompson; Sidney Sussex College Cambridge; Professor Norrish; reaction kinetics; St Catharine's College Cambridge; Humphrey-Owen Jones lectureship in physical chemistry; wartime career; chemistry in Leeds; medical education; University of Nottingham; Dr Lee's chair in Chemistry, Oxford; University Grants Committee; Chancellorship at Sheffield; National Radiological Protection Board; British Library Board; Royal Postgraduate Medical School; Goldsmiths' Company; Polish Academy of Science; Uppsala University; House of Lords.

Part One
At the start of this interview Lord Dainton talks about his family background, his childhood and education in Sheffield, and particularly his burgeoning interest in science. He went on to study chemistry, funded by a scholarship, at St John's College Oxford under the tutelage of Harold Thompson. Next, he outlines his PhD research on the combustion of hydrogen and oxygen, with Professor Norrish, at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, and his developing interest in reaction kinetics, the long-term focus of his research. His first job in Cambridge as demonstrator, appointment as Humphrey Owen-Jones lecturer in physical chemistry, work as praelector, wartime work for the regional commissioner in East Anglia, and marriage in 1942 are discussed. The interview moves on to Lord Dainton's 15 years as professor of chemistry at Leeds. He speaks of working with a large, international team of researchers, and his interest in medical education, which started in Cambridge and led to a place on the Leeds Medical School medical curriculum committee. Lord Dainton then reflects on his time as vice-chancellor of Nottingham University; particularly his role in the organisation of the new medical school there, and his attempts to attract first-class professors and heads of department. Part one ends with a discussion of Lord Dainton's time as Dr Lee's professor in Chemistry in Oxford from 1970 - the attitudes to civic universities he encountered, and his chairmanship of the University Grants Committee 1973-78 - and his work as Chancellor of the University of Sheffield from 1979.

Part Two
Part two first covers Lord Dainton's involvement with various committees - National Radiological Protection Board, British Library Board, council of the Royal Postgraduate Medical School - and his association with the Goldsmiths' Company and other projects offering financial support to students. He then selects the most memorable from the many awards and honorary degrees he has received; the Curie Medal from the Polish Academy of Science and an honorary degree from Uppsala University. The interview finishes with Lord Dainton reflecting on receiving his knighthood, being called to the House of Lords, and his family.

Transcript available

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