The Small World of Fred Hoyle: An Autobiography

by Fred Hoyle

The Small World of Fred Hoyle

Hardcover

Published January 1, 1986

About the author

Professor Sir Fred Hoyle was one of the most distinguished, creative, and controversial scientists of the twentieth century. He was a Fellow of St John’s College (1939-1972, Honorary Fellow 1973-2001), was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1957, held the Plumian Chair of Astronomy and Experimental Philosophy (1958-1972), established the Institute of Theoretical Astronomy in Cambridge (now part of the Institute of Astronomy), and (in 1972) received a knighthood for his services to astronomy.

Hoyle was a keen mountain climber, an avid player of chess, a science fiction writer, a populariser of science, and the man who coined the phrase 'The Big Bang'.

Reviews

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting autobiography from one of astrophysics more contentious, controversial, and unorthodox thinkers. It's also an interesting look at an early 20th c British childhood, warts and all. (Some things about his youth made it sound like an age of greater wonder and discovery, but also an age of Antisemitism and sectarian hostilities that lead British boys to throw rocks at Catholic kids for fun)

[Peter Burton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slight book but enjoyable about his childhood; even the later bits about his research career and the science involved were interesting if beyond me.He was the kind of man you'd enjoy having a chat to.Good on social history and the changes in life and society.Very nostalgic.