Born in Bingley, Yorkshire. Studied mathematics at Emmanuel College, Cambridge. Worked on radar during the war. Afterwards returned to Cambridge, where he tackled the problem of element synthesis. Together with Martin Schwarzschild, he studied stellar evolution, and later, with William Fowler, Geoffrey and Margaret Burbidge, wrote the famous B²FH paper (1957) on element synthesis. Founded the Institute of Theoretical Astronomy in Cambridge. Knighted, but later refused some honors due to conflict with the academic establishment. Did not receive the Nobel Prize, although his co-authors were recognized.
