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Early Life
John Polkinghorne was born to George and Dorothy Polkinghorne of Weston-super-Mare, England. John's father was a postal worker and he was his parents' third child. John had an older sister who tragically died before John's birth. John's performance as a student in primary school was considered sub par. His parents had him taught at home by a family friend who educated her own son. He was later sent to a local Quaker school. -
Education
After the start of WWII, John's older brother entered the Royal Air Force and lost his life in the North Atlantic. Polkinghorne's father was promoted in 1945 and his family relocated to Ely. He excelled in mathematics while attending Perse School in Cambridge and continued to perform in advanced physics and applied mathematics examinations. His academic achievements earned him a scholarship to Trinity College in 1948, although, John would first have to commit himself to military service. -
Early Career
At Cambridge he met his wife and both graduating in 1952. John would continue his studies and was awarded a PhD in 1955. He continued for at Cambridge as a lecturer and later Reader in 1965. He would ascend to the position of Professor of Mathematical Physics in 1968. He would travel to study, lecture and teach across Europe and the United States. In 1974 he was honored for his contributions to mathematical physics and elected to the Royal Society. -
Legacy
in 1979, Polkinghorne resigned his position as professor to study for Anglican Priesthood. He became an ordained Deacon in 1981, a Fellow, Dean and Chaplain in 1989 at Cambridge and retired as President of Queens' College in 1996. Polkinghorne is an esteemed scientist who does not shy from the inquiries of the existence of a god. When asked is his scientific background makes him scornful of theology he replied, "Far from it.Theology is much more difficult."
