Frank Kearton, Baron Kearton

Christopher Frank Kearton, Baron Kearton, OBE, FRS, FRSA,[1] (17 February 1911 – 2 July 1992), usually known as Frank Kearton, was a British life peer in the House of Lords. He was also a scientist and industrialist[2] and former Chancellor of the University of Bath.[3]

The Right Honourable

The Lord Kearton

OBE FRS FRSA
Personal details
Born17 February 1911
Died2 July 1992 (1992-07-03) (aged 81)
NationalityBritish
Spouse(s)Kathleen, Lady Kearton
Children2 boys, 2 girls
Alma materSt John's College, Oxford
OccupationPeer, Scientist and Industrialist

Early life and education

Kearton was born to Christopher John Kearton, a bricklayer, and Lilian (née Hancock) in Congleton, Cheshire, although the family moved to Tunstall in the Potteries not long after his birth. He completed his secondary education at Hanley High School before going up to St John's College, Oxford in 1929 as an open exhibitioner to read chemistry. He graduated with a First in 1933 although he did not apply for the promotion of his BA to an MA until 1959.[2]

Appointments and awards

Kearton was made an honorary Doctor of Science (DSc) by the University of Bath in 1966 when Lord Hinton was appointed the university's first Chancellor. Kearton himself was appointed Chancellor of the university in 1980 and, according to Sir Norman Wooding, was a "notably active member of the University." He was still in office as Chancellor upon his death in 1991.[2]

  • President, Society of Chemical Industry (1972–1974)
  • Chairman, Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (1973–1980)
  • Chairman and Chief Executive, British National Oil Corporation (1975–1979)[4]
  • Chairman, British Association for the Advancement of Science (1978–1979)
  • Chairman, Association of Special Libraries (1980–1982)[1]

His awards include:

Personal life

Three years after leaving Oxford, on 16 April 1936, he married Kathleen Agnes (née Kay) whom he had met when at school through playing tennis. She had completed a French degree at Bedford College, London and was a teacher at Morecambe Grammar School. The couple later had two sons and two daughters.

Lord Kearton died from cancer on 2 July 1992 at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Buckinghamshire and was buried at Whitchurch. He left an estate, according to probate of 14 August 1992, of £337,670.

References

Further reading Bramwell G Rudd COURTAULDS and the HOSIERY & KNITWEAR INDUSTRY (Carnegie Publishing Ltd) (2014, ISBN softback 978-1-905472-06-2, hardback 978-1-905472-18-5)

  1. Wooding, N. (1995). "Christopher Frank Kearton Baron Kearton, of Whitchurch, Bucks, Kt, O. B. E. 17 February 1911 – 2 July 1992". Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society. 41: 220–226. doi:10.1098/rsbm.1995.0014.
  2. "Kearton, (Christopher) Frank, Baron Kearton (1911-1992)". Norman Wooding. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, University of Oxford. 25 June 2008. Retrieved 25 June 2008.
  3. "Person Page - 19148". Darryl Lundy. ThePeerage.com. 25 June 2008. Retrieved 25 June 2008.
  4. "Lord Kearton (Obituary)". The Times. 6 July 1992.
  5. "No. 37412". The London Gazette (Supplement). 28 December 1945. p. 280.
  6. "Fellows 1660-2007" (PDF). Royal Society. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
  7. https://www.textileinstitute.org/medals-and-awards/medals-and-awards/
  8. "No. 43910". The London Gazette. 25 February 1966. p. 2147.
  9. "No. 45036". The London Gazette. 6 February 1970. p. 1553.
  10. [email protected]. "Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh: Honorary Graduates". www1.hw.ac.uk. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
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