John Polkinghorne

Birth of John Charlton Polkinghorne

Oct 16, 1930

John Charlton Polkinghorne was born in October 16, 1930 in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, England to Dorothy Charlton and George Polkinghorne.

Polkinghorne's Education

1956

Showing a proficiency in mathematics, Polkinghorne earned multiple degrees from Trinity College, Cambridge. His bachelor's degree in mathematics, master’s degree and then his doctorate in quantum field theory.

Polkinghorne's Professorship

1968

Polkinghorne became professor of mathematical physics at the University of Edinburgh in 1956 and then at Cambridge in 1968

Polkinghorne's Second Doctorate

1974

Polkinghorne earns another doctorate in theoretical elementary particle physics from Trinity College

Polkinghorne's Change in Career

1977

In 1977, Polkinghorne decided he wanted to become a priest and wanted to participate in a second career. He thought that with Christianity being a significant part of his life, he wanted to go the priesthood route.

Polkinghorne is Knighted

1977

1977 John Polkinghorne was knighted as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II for distinguished service to science, religion, learning, and Medical Ethics

Polkinghorne's Priesthood

Jun 6, 1982

In 1979, John Polkinghorne resigned and became an ordained priest on June 6, 1982, and held the ceremony at Trinity College. Over the course of five years, he went to work in south Bristol and Blean, Kent before he returned to Cambridge where he would become the dean of chapel at Trinity Hall.

Polkinghorne's Publications

1983

Polkinghorne published The Way the World Is which was the first of his works on the topic of science and religion. Polkinghorne, J. C. The Way the World Is: The Christian Perspective of a Scientist. Westminster John Knox Press, 1983.

Polkinghorne becomes president of Queen's College

1989

In 1989, John was appointed as the president of Queens’ College Cambridge which is what he retired from in 1996.

Polkinghorne's Templeton Prize

2002

He was awarded the Templeton Prize for Progress Toward Research or Discoveries About Spritual Realities

John Polkinghorne

Mar 9, 2021

At the age of 90, John Polkinghorne passes away in Cambridge, United Kingdom