Fred Hoyle: An Online Exhibition

Institute of Theoretical Astronomy

In the early 1960s Hoyle had the idea of creating a national centre for theoretical astronomy that would compete with the great American astronomical schools. He spent several years in protracted negotiations with the University of Cambridge, the Science Research Council, and with other funding bodies attempting to bring this idea to fruition, even threatening to resign in September 1964 and January 1966. Eventually the funding and structure of the proposed Institute was agreed to the satisfaction of all parties. The Wolfson Foundation, Science Research Council, Nuffield Foundation and University all contributed to the costs of building and running the Institute.

Threatened Resignation | Sketch of the IoTA building | Opening Speech | The New Building | Final Resignation

Photograph of the members of the new Institute of Theoretical Astronomy in 1967

Hoyle's Youth | Hoyle in Cambridge | Steady-State Universe | Stellar Nucleosynthesis | Hoyle vs Ryle | Institute of Theoretical Astronomy | Hoyle on the Radio | Hoyle the Writer | Hoyle the Polymath | Honours and Medals

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