On This Day 24th September 1914 Sir Owen Saunders was born. He is recorded as born in Streatham and lived at 53 Rudloe Road in the Clapham Park/Balham area.
Sir Owen Alfred Saunders, FREng, FRS (24 September 1904 – 10 October 1993) was an English applied mathematician, engineering science academic, and VC of the University of London
His father was an engineer and was the inventor and designer of the Beckmeter petrol pump, which was widely used in British petrol stations.
Saunders attended Emmanuel School, Wandsworth Common, from 1913 to 1919. After a period of home study, he enrolled at Birkbeck College, in the Chemistry department. In June 1923, he achieved a first-class pass in the London University external general science degree. He then attended evening classes in physics and won a scholarship to Trinity College, Cambridge, where he began studying in 1923.
He then became Vice-Chancellor of the University of London, overseeing the merger of Bedford College and Royal Holloway College and becoming the first Chairman of the council of the combined college. He retired from the Vice-Chancellorship in 1969.
Saunders was also a full member of the Magic Circle.
He was President of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers in 1960 and was made an Honorary Fellow in 1965. He died in 1993.
Sir Owen Alfred Saunders, FREng, FRS (24 September 1904 – 10 October 1993) was an English applied mathematician, engineering science academic, and VC of the University of London
His father was an engineer and was the inventor and designer of the Beckmeter petrol pump, which was widely used in British petrol stations.
Saunders attended Emmanuel School, Wandsworth Common, from 1913 to 1919. After a period of home study, he enrolled at Birkbeck College, in the Chemistry department. In June 1923, he achieved a first-class pass in the London University external general science degree. He then attended evening classes in physics and won a scholarship to Trinity College, Cambridge, where he began studying in 1923.
He then became Vice-Chancellor of the University of London, overseeing the merger of Bedford College and Royal Holloway College and becoming the first Chairman of the council of the combined college. He retired from the Vice-Chancellorship in 1969.
Saunders was also a full member of the Magic Circle.
He was President of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers in 1960 and was made an Honorary Fellow in 1965. He died in 1993.
