Celebrating Dirac

Among Dirac's many contributions was his theory of the electron which led him to predict the existence of anti-matter, for which he won the Nobel Prize in 1933.

He made many other important early discoveries in quantum mechanics and quantum statistical mechanics. He also laid the foundations of quantum field theory, which underlies much of modern condensed matter and elementary particle physics.

His theory of the magnetic monopole has influenced many modern developments at the interface of theoretical physics and mathematics, with particular relevance to string theory and related areas of quantum gravity.

Dirac spent most of his career in the Mathematics Faculty at the University of Cambridge and as a fellow of St John's College.

Michael Green, John Humphrey Plummer Professor of Theoretical Physics, said:

"Dirac's intellectual legacy is staggering. His emphasis on the role of beautiful mathematics underlies many of the most important modern developments in particle physics and cosmology."

Commenting on Dirac's contribution to science, Professor Ian Halliday, CEO of the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council said:

"He is one of the founding fathers of modern science. He created an equation that underpins much of physics and chemistry and has deeply influenced the way theorists think about the nature of the Universe."

Dirac's centenary will be marked on 20 July with a series of public lectures and an exhibition charting his achievements in theoretical physics. Speakers will include leading theoretical physicists and mathematicians such as Edward Witten, Sir Michael Atiyah, Peter Goddard and Stephen Hawking, as well as members of Dirac's family.

The Dirac Centennial Celebration is sponsored by the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council.