A renowned chemist and academic who made significant contributions to the field of chemistry, particularly in the area of molecular spectroscopy and reaction dynamics.
David Clary, a renowned British theoretical chemist, is widely recognized for his groundbreaking contributions to the development of quantum theory for chemical reactions. As the first chief scientific adviser to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, he has left an indelible mark on the scientific community.
Born on January 14, 1953, in Halesworth, Suffolk, Clary was educated at Colchester Royal Grammar School from 1964 to 1971. He then pursued his undergraduate studies at the University of Sussex, graduating with a BSc in 1974. Clary furthered his education at the University of Cambridge, earning his PhD in 1977 and ScD in 1997.
Clary's academic career has been marked by numerous appointments and research positions. He began as a lecturer at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) in 1980, followed by a stint as lecturer and reader in theoretical chemistry at the University of Cambridge. In 1996, he became the director of the Centre for Theoretical and Computational Chemistry and professor at University College London.
In 2002, Clary moved to the University of Oxford, where he held the position of head of the Division of Mathematical and Physical Sciences and professorial fellow of St Johns College. He was later elected President of Magdalen College, Oxford in 2005, a position he held until 2020.
Clary's outstanding contributions to the field of theoretical chemistry have been recognized with several prestigious awards and honors. In 1997, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society for his development of the quantum theory for chemical reactions.
He is also a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Physical Society, the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), and the Institute of Physics International.
Clary has served as editor of Chemical Physics Letters from 2000 to 2020 and was a reviewing editor of Science from 2003 to 2016. In addition to his academic pursuits, he has made significant contributions to public service, including his role as the first chief scientific adviser to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office from 2009 to 2013.
David Clary's work has had a profound impact on our understanding of quantum theory and its applications in chemical reactions. His contributions have paved the way for further research and innovation in the field, cementing his place as a leading figure in theoretical chemistry.
Through his numerous appointments, research positions, and public service, Clary has inspired generations of scientists and scholars, leaving a lasting legacy in the scientific community.
In conclusion, David Clary's remarkable career is a testament to his dedication, passion, and groundbreaking contributions to the field of theoretical chemistry.
