Abstract
ASTON'S name is associated in the minds of men of science with the mass spectrograph and the discoveries concerning isotopes to which it led. In the history of British physics it is rare that a man's work should thus be associated with an instrument, though it is common enough to be almost the rule among the great names of American science. Though, in fact, in Aston's case the instrument was devised to test a specific theory and not developed for its own sake, it is yet true that Aston's mind was fundamentally that of an instrumentalist to whom experimental methods and actual manual dexterity are a joy in themselves approaching that to be gained from the results they give. This habit of mind can be traced throughout his life, and the skill of hand that went with it found expression as well in games and in music.
Article PDF
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
THOMSON, G. Dr. Francis William Aston F. R. S. Nature 157, 290–292 (1946). https://doi.org/10.1038/157290a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/157290a0