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Birth
Born in Weston-Super-Mare, United Kingdom to Dorothy Charlton and George Polkinghorne. J. C. Taylor and D. A. Wilkinson, “John Charlton Polkinghorne KBE. 16 October 1930—9 March 2021,” Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society, vol. 72, pp. 293–309, Jun. 2022. -
Began college
Began taking Mathematical Tripos at Trinity College. J. C. Taylor and D. A. Wilkinson, “John Charlton Polkinghorne KBE. 16 October 1930—9 March 2021,” Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society, vol. 72, pp. 293–309, Jun. 2022. -
Big Beginnings
John completed his Phd and was awarded a research fellowship at Trinity College. Married Ruth Martin who he met while attending Trinity College. Near the end of the year John and Ruth traveled to California Institute of Technology for John to take up a Harkness Fellowship. J. C. Taylor and D. A. Wilkinson, “John Charlton Polkinghorne KBE. 16 October 1930—9 March 2021,” Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society, vol. 72, pp. 293–309, Jun. 2022. -
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Physics career
from 1956 to 1958 John had a lectureship at Edinburg for Mathematical Physics. Returning to Cambridge in 1958 for a mathematics lectureship, he would remain there for the rest of his physics career receiving promotions, awards and praise from his colleges for his work as well as working on books that would later be published. John would spend the rest of his physics career at Cambridge until he resigned in 1979. -
Priesthood
After John's resignation in 1979 from his physics lectureship at Cambridge he would begin his training for the Anglican Ministry at Westcott House in Cambridge. J. C. Taylor and D. A. Wilkinson, “John Charlton Polkinghorne KBE. 16 October 1930—9 March 2021,” Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society, vol. 72, pp. 293–309, Jun. 2022. -
One World
One world: the interaction of Science and Theology was John's first major publication that began discussing the continuities between science and religion. J. C. Taylor and D. A. Wilkinson, “John Charlton Polkinghorne KBE. 16 October 1930—9 March 2021,” Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society, vol. 72, pp. 293–309, Jun. 2022. Polkinghorne, J. C. (1986). One world: The interaction of science and theology. Templeton Foundation Press. -
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Cambridge
During this period of John's life he would publish more than 30 books as well as 40 articles concerning science and theology. This time in his life he proactively forwarded the discussion of how science relates to religion. John also described God's purpose of sustaining and maintaining the laws of physics for an evolving existence. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0myDDLLH1n4&pp=ygUmam9obiBwb2xraW5naG9ybmUgc2NpZW5jZSBhbmQgcmVsaWdpb24%3D -
Science and Creation
"Science and Creation: The search for understanding" was the second book in his seven book series delving into the relationship on science and religion. This book specifically goes into how science can benefit faith instead of denying it Polkinghorne, John. “Science and Creation: The Search for Understanding.” Faithlife, 1 Jan. 2006, faithlife.com/store/product/41609/science-and-creation-the-search-for-understanding. Accessed 07 Apr. 2024. -
Science and Providence
"Science and Providence: God's interaction with the world" was the third book in his series that built upon the the first two of the series and went into god's involvement with time. Polkinghorne, John. “Science and Providence: God’s Interaction with the World.” Verbum Catholic Software, 1 Jan. 2005, verbum.com/product/41610/science-and-providence-gods-interaction-with-the-world. Accessed 07 Apr. 2024. -
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Retirement
During his retirement from the church he would still be in high demand for lectures as his views were more appealing to the masses. John was highly regarded among admirers and those who disagreed with his views as his views allowed room for both to exist in relative cohesion. Taylor J. C. and Wilkinson D. A. 2022John Charlton Polkinghorne KBE. 16 October 1930—9 March 2021Biogr. Mems Fell. R. Soc.72293–309 -
Death
John Pinklehorne would pass away leaving his mark on the world in 2021