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Ernest Walton.jpg Photo by Nobel foundation –

Top 10 Facts about Ernest Walton

He was born on October 6, 1903, in Abbeyside, Dungarvan, County of Waterford. His full name was Ernest Thomas Sinton Walton. His father was a Methodist minister while his mother was Anna Sinton. He married Winifred Wilson and together they were blessed with four children Alan, Marian, Philip, and Jean. Alan Walton is a physicist at the University of Cambridge while Philip Walton is a Professor of Applied Physics at NUI Galway. Ernest went to day schools in both Down and Tyrone Counties and later at Wesley College Dublin. He later joined a boarding school at Wesley College Dublin. He became a boarder at Methodist College Belfast. His boarding school gave him time to work hard.

Consequently, he excelled in Mathematics and Science. He joined Trinity College Dublin through a scholarship to study mathematics and science. He earned his bachelor’s degree as well as master’s degree from Trinity College. He received many awards for his excellent physics and mathematics research. In addition, he was the Nobel Prize winner in physics, a prize he won jointly with John Cockcroft for the transmutation of atomic nuclei by artificially accelerated atomic particles. In other words, the discovery was known as splitting the atom. He was a Christian who exhibited his faith by building the Walton Building at Methodist College Belfast, his former boarding school. His lectures included the relationship between science and religion and emphasized that “one way to learn the mind of the creator is to study His creation.”

1. A Special Achievement at Cambridge University

Bragg building, Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge.jpg Photo by Silas S. Brown –

Despite all the achievements that Ernest managed, the one outstanding was when he together with John Cockcroft constructed one of the earliest particle accelerators known as Cockcroft-Walton at Cambridge University. This was the first to invent a particle beam generator in the early 1930s.

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2. He was a Winner of the Nobel Prize

His works in physics received recognition when he together with John Cockcroft worked on the transmutation of atomic nuclei by artificially accelerated atomic articles otherwise known as splitting the atom. In addition, the two went on the record as being the first to disintegrate the lithium nucleus by bombardment with accelerated protons. They further identified helium nuclei in the products. More importantly, they built an apparatus that showed nuclei of carious lightweight elements could be split by fast-moving protons. These achievements granted them the honor to receive the Noble Prize in Physics in 1951.

3. Ernest Dedicated His Nobel Model to Trinity College

Ernest Walton 1903-1995 Fellow of Trinity College Erasmus Smith’s Professor 1946-1974 Nobel Laureate in Physics 1951.jpg Photo by Spudgun67 –

Ernest was very committed to his achievement that he devoted his Nobel Medal including his citation to the Trinity College Dublin in 1974. He did this just before his death in 1975. However, Ernest was a hardworking person until he retired. Of importance to note is that he maintained his association with the Physics department until his last days.

4. Ernest was an Outstanding Lecturer In Physics

Ernest Walton – School of Physics Trinity College Dublin College Green Dublin 2 Ireland (2).jpg Photo by Spudgun67 –

At Trinity College Dublin, he became a fellow in the department of Physics. He was appointed Erasmus Smith’s Professor of Natural and Experimental Philosophy. He had the ability to present easy-to-understand terms during his lectures which gave him a good relationship with his students. His classes were mainly on the phosphorescent effect in glasses, and secondary-electron emissions from the surface under positive-ion bombardment. In addition, he lectured on radiocarbon dating and low-level counting and also the deposition of thin films on glass. 

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5. Ernest had a close association with other Institutions

School of Physics Trinity College Dublin College Green Dublin 2 Ireland.jpg Photo by Spudgun67 –

For over forty years, he was on the board of the school of Cosmic Physics and on the council of the institute at Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies. He assumed the role of the chairman of the inaugural, Schools of Cosmic Physics after the death of John J. Nolan. He was in this position until 1960 when John H. Poole succeeded him.

6. Ernest was the Winner of a Unique Nobel Prize

Together with Sir John Douglas Cockcroft of England, they won the Noble Prize for Physics for the development of the first nuclear particle accelerator in 1951.  This development was known as the Cockcroft-Walton generator. The Nobel Prize funds are from Aflred BernNobel’s foundation which was founded in 1895. He wrote a will that part of his wealth will be given to the people who will reward the people who introduce inventions that will change humanity.

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7. Ernest was given a Special Appointment

 He became a fellow of Trinity College Dublin, an honor he was given for his achievement during his Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1934. Further, in 1946 he was given the appointment as Erasmus Smith Professor of Natural and Experimental philosophy. 

8. His Faith and Scientific Findings

Ernest was born and raised by a Methodist minister known as Rev. John Walton. This foundation in Christianity was the basis of his scientific research which he believed was a payback to God for His gift of studying His work which he believed should be exercised by every human being. In his words according to V.J. McBrierty (2003) said “A refusal to use our intelligence honestly is an act of contempt for Him who gave us that intelligence.” Christians in Science, an organization in Ireland developed lecturers in his memory referred to as Walton Lecturers on Science and Religion. Specifically, the lecturers have to be delivered by David Wilkinson and Denis Alexander, among others, across Ireland Universities.

9. The Christian Values that He Quoted

He was brought up in a Christin family. The father was a methodist minister hence the strong faith in his scientific practice. One of his very famous quotes was “One way to learn the mind of the Creator is to study His creation. We must pay God the compliment of studying His work of art and this should apply to all realms of human thought. A refusal to use our intelligence honestly is an act of contempt for Him who gave us that intelligence.”

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10. The Sons Also Followed His Footsteps in Physics Expertise

Together with his wife Winifred has four children. His sons Alan and Philip followed their father by specializing in Physics. For instance, Alan became a physicist at the University of Cambridge. Philip became a Professor of Applied Physics at the National University of Ireland currently known as the University of  Galway.