Sir Harry Kroto

World-leading chemist and Nobel Prize-winner Sir Harold Walter Kroto FRS died on Saturday, 30 April 2016.

More familiarly known as Professor Harry Kroto and born in Cambridgeshire, England, Kroto was working at the University of Sussex when he and his team made a breakthrough that would change the fundamental understanding of chemistry.  Research by Kroto and his colleagues concentrated on the identification of carbon chains in the interstellar medium, leading to the discovery of the C60 molecule or Buckminsterfullerene.

Paying tribute to Harry Kroto, Professor Michael Farthing, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sussex said: “Harry Kroto’s intelligence was stratospheric – and his contribution to chemistry will live on forever.

"His discovery of the Buckminsterfullerene C60 molecule provides not only inspiration to fellow University of Sussex academics and students today, but to scientists around the world.

"He was responsible for changing the way modern scientists think about chemistry and he mirrored this with an active role in global politics and the arts.  His love of so many academic and cultural disciplines meant that he was able to view the world and its possibilities in such a unique and positive way. 

"The many students and academics he worked with at Sussex and other universities around the globe are so fortunate that he took the decision to focus much of his life within education and research – giving others the opportunity to benefit from the power of his mindset. 

"Although myself and my colleagues at the University of Sussex mourn the passing of a genius, we feel immensely proud to be part of the legacy that he leaves behind.”

More information about Harry Kroto’s contribution to science and the University of Sussex will be published by the University in the coming days.