(Cecil) Arnold Beevers


1908 - 2001

Crystallographer and inventor. Born in Manchester, although brought up in Liverpool, Beevers studied physics at the university in that city. He worked with Professor Wilberforce in Liverpool and Professor Bragg in Manchester before accepting the Dewar Fellowship in Crystallography at the University of Edinburgh in 1938. He remained active in the Chemistry Department there into his 90s. He is remembered for Beevers-Lipson strips, which greatly simplified the complex calculations required in early crystallography. Although now made easy by computers, 500 sets of these specialist strips were sold worldwide between 1948 and 1970. He was also known for Beevers-Ross sites, identified while studying the structure of β-alumina and Beevers Miniature Models, which were highly accurate and robust chemical models, first produced in 1961. These remarkable models are used internationally to teach chemistry and still produced by a unit within the University of Edinburgh (2007).

Beevers will also be remembered as a humanitarian, promoting causes as diverse as world peace and fluoridation of water to improve dental health.


Use the tabs on the right of this page to see other parts of this entry arrow

If you have found this information useful please consider making
a donation to help maintain and improve this resource. More info...

By using our site you agree to accept cookies, which help us serve you better