Michael Meredith Swann, Baron Swann, FRS (1920 – 22 September 1990) was a distinguished molecular and cell biologist working on the mechanisms of cell division and fertilisation. He used cell polarisation methods to understand the changes in molecular organisation of the mitotic spindle. With his collaborator Murdoch Mitchison, he found evidence in support of a new theory of cell division. He also collaborated with Victor Rothschild in experiments on changes in membrane structure during fertilisation.
He was chairman of the BBC from 1973 to 1980, and was created a life peer in 1981 as Baron Swann, of Coln St Denys in the County of Gloucestershire on 16 February 1981.[1]
From 1965 to 1974, he was the Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Edinburgh University. The Michael Swann Building at the University of Edinburgh is named after him, where similar work on cell division and fertilisation continues to this day. In 1980 Swann became Provost of Oriel College,[2] and was also Chancellor of the University of York from 1979 until his death.[3]
Brother-in-law of Monsignor Graham Leonard
Brother of Hugh Swann, cabinet maker to Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Nephew to Brigadier Vivian Dykes Chief Combined Secretary British Joint Staff Mission Washington 1942
| Media offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Lord Hill |
Chairman of the BBC Board of
Governors 1973–1980 |
Succeeded by George Howard |
| Academic offices | ||
| Preceded by Edward Victor Appleton |
Principals of the University of
Edinburgh 1965–1974 |
Succeeded by Hugh Robson (educator) |
| Preceded by Kenneth Clark |
Chancellors of University of York 1979–1990 |
Succeeded by Dame Janet Baker |
   | Another article on the BBC - BBC NEWS | UK | UK Politics | The fear of 'hippies' at the BBC |
| | Michael Schwann Building, University of Edinburgh - Campus maps | The University of Edinburgh |
|
|
Wikis
Map
Search
