# John Pople

> Nobel prize winning British chemist (1925-2004)

**Wikidata**: [Q233973](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q233973)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Pople)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/john-pople

## Summary
John Pople was a Nobel Prize-winning British chemist (1925–2004) known for pioneering computational chemistry and quantum mechanics applications in molecular science. His work in developing quantum chemical methods earned him the 1998 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, revolutionizing molecular modeling and drug discovery.

## Biography
- Born: October 31, 1925, Burnham-on-Sea, England
- Nationality: British
- Education:
  - BSc in Chemistry, University of Cambridge (1946)
  - PhD in Chemistry, University of Cambridge (1951)
- Known for: Developing quantum chemical methods and computational chemistry techniques
- Employer(s):
  - University of Cambridge (1951–1953)
  - Northwestern University (1953–1955)
  - Carnegie Mellon University (1955–1961)
  - University of Cambridge (1961–1963)
  - University of California, Berkeley (1963–1994)
- Field(s): Theoretical chemistry, quantum chemistry, computational chemistry

## Contributions
- Developed the Pariser–Parr–Pople method (1953), a foundational quantum chemical calculation technique
- Pioneered computational chemistry methods that enabled molecular modeling and simulations
- Contributed to the development of quantum mechanical methods for understanding molecular structure and bonding
- Authored over 500 scientific publications and books on quantum chemistry and computational methods
- Led the development of the Gaussian series of quantum chemistry software packages
- Established the International Academy of Quantum Molecular Science (1967) to advance quantum chemistry research

## FAQs
### What was John Pople's most significant scientific achievement?
John Pople's most significant achievement was developing quantum chemical methods that revolutionized molecular modeling and computational chemistry, earning him the 1998 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

### Where did John Pople conduct his most influential research?
John Pople conducted his most influential research at the University of California, Berkeley, where he established the Quantum Chemistry Group and made groundbreaking contributions to quantum chemistry.

### What software did John Pople help develop?
John Pople played a key role in developing the Gaussian series of quantum chemistry software packages, which became essential tools for computational chemistry research.

### Which organizations did John Pople help found?
John Pople helped found the International Academy of Quantum Molecular Science in 1967 to advance quantum chemistry research and applications.

### What awards did John Pople receive?
John Pople received numerous awards, including the Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1998), the Copley Medal (1992), and the Wolf Prize in Chemistry (1993).

## Why They Matter
John Pople's work in quantum chemistry and computational methods transformed molecular science, enabling breakthroughs in drug discovery, materials science, and chemical engineering. His development of quantum mechanical methods and software tools like Gaussian revolutionized how scientists model and understand molecular behavior, accelerating research across industries. Pople's contributions laid the foundation for modern computational chemistry, making it a cornerstone of scientific research. His influence extends to education, having trained generations of chemists and physicists who continue to build on his work. The Pariser–Parr–Pople method remains a fundamental tool in quantum chemistry, and his legacy endures through the software and techniques he pioneered.

## Notable For
- Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1998) for pioneering quantum chemical methods
- Development of the Pariser–Parr–Pople method (1953)
- Creation of the Gaussian series of quantum chemistry software
- Founding of the International Academy of Quantum Molecular Science (1967)
- Fellow of the Royal Society (1965)
- Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (1999)
- Copley Medal recipient (1992)
- Wolf Prize in Chemistry winner (1993)
- Davy Medal recipient (1985)
- Irving Langmuir Award in Chemical Physics recipient (1994)

## Body
### Early Life and Education
John Anthony Pople was born on October 31, 1925, in Burnham-on-Sea, England. He attended Burnham Grammar School and later studied at the University of Cambridge, earning a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in 1946. He continued his studies at Cambridge, completing his PhD in Chemistry in 1951. His early work focused on quantum mechanics and molecular structure, setting the foundation for his future contributions to theoretical chemistry.

### Career and Research
Pople's career began at the University of Cambridge, where he worked from 1951 to 1953. He then moved to Northwestern University in 1953, followed by a position at Carnegie Mellon University from 1955 to 1961. In 1961, he returned to the University of Cambridge, where he remained until 1963. In 1963, he joined the University of California, Berkeley, where he established the Quantum Chemistry Group and remained until his retirement in 1994. During his tenure at Berkeley, Pople made significant contributions to quantum chemistry, including the development of the Pariser–Parr–Pople method and the Gaussian series of quantum chemistry software.

### Scientific Contributions
Pople's most notable contribution was the development of the Pariser–Parr–Pople method in 1953, which provided a quantum mechanical approach to understanding molecular structure and bonding. This method became a cornerstone of quantum chemistry and is still used today. He also pioneered computational chemistry techniques that enabled molecular modeling and simulations, revolutionizing the field. Pople authored over 500 scientific publications and books on quantum chemistry and computational methods, solidifying his reputation as a leading expert in the field.

### Awards and Recognition
John Pople received numerous prestigious awards and honors throughout his career. In 1998, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his contributions to quantum chemistry and computational methods. He also received the Copley Medal from the Royal Society in 1992 and the Wolf Prize in Chemistry in 1993. Other notable awards include the Davy Medal (1985), the Irving Langmuir Award in Chemical Physics (1994), and the Humboldt Prize (1995). In 1999, he was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire for his services to science.

### Professional Affiliations
Pople was a member of several prestigious scientific organizations, including the Royal Society, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the National Academy of Sciences, and the Australian Academy of Science. He also helped found the International Academy of Quantum Molecular Science in 1967, which is devoted to applying quantum physics to chemistry. His affiliations with these organizations underscored his influence and leadership in the scientific community.

### Legacy and Influence
John Pople's legacy in quantum chemistry and computational methods is profound. His work laid the groundwork for modern computational chemistry, enabling advancements in drug discovery, materials science, and chemical engineering. The Gaussian series of software he helped develop remains a standard tool in quantum chemistry research. Pople's influence extends to education, having trained generations of chemists and physicists who continue to build on his work. His contributions to the field have had a lasting impact, making him one of the most influential chemists of the 20th century.

## References

1. [Obituary: John A. Pople (1925-2004).](http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v428/n6985/full/428816a.html)
2. [Sir John A. Pople, 78, Dies; Won Nobel Chemistry Prize. 2004](http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/18/science/18POPL.html)
3. [Sir John Pople. 2004](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1457084/Sir-John-Pople.html)
4. [Obituaries of note. 2004](http://www.sptimes.com/2004/04/15/news_pf/Worldandnation/Obituaries_of_note.shtml)
5. [Obituary: John A. Pople. Northwestern University. 2004](http://www.northwestern.edu/observer/issues/2004-04-01/obit.html)
6. [Chemistry Nobel winner dies. 2004](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3524696.stm)
7. Find a Grave
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10. [On the mechanism of proton transfer in the 2-hydroxypyridine α 2-pyridone tautomeric equilibrium](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0009261484851386)
11. [Low-spin open-shell perturbation theory](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/000926149385101S)
12. Sir John Anthony Pople. 31 October 1925 -- 15 March 2004: Elected FRS 1961
13. Mathematics Genealogy Project
14. MacTutor History of Mathematics archive
15. [John A. Pople: early ab initio days](http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/j100377a004)
16. NNDB
17. [MacTutor History of Mathematics archive](http://www-history.mcs.st-andrews.ac.uk/Biographies/Pople.html)
18. [Source](https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbm.2006.0021)
19. [Award winners : Copley Medal. Royal Society](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dsunM9ukGLgaW3HdG9cvJ_QKd7pWjGI0qi_fCb1ROD4/pubhtml?gid=1336391689&single=true)
20. [The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1998. nobelprize.org](https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/1998/summary/)
21. [Table showing prize amounts. Nobel Foundation. 2019](https://www.nobelprize.org/uploads/2019/04/prize-amounts-2020.pdf)
22. [Source](https://wolffund.org.il/john-a-pople/)
23. [Award winners : Davy Medal](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dsunM9ukGLgaW3HdG9cvJ_QKd7pWjGI0qi_fCb1ROD4/pubhtml?gid=1021770356&single=true)
24. [Irving Langmuir Award in Chemical Physics](https://www.aps.org/programs/honors/prizes/langmuir.cfm)
25. [Source](https://acspss.org/pauling-medal-award/)
26. [Source](https://www.artsci.uc.edu/departments/chemistry/alumni-and-community/the-oesper-award-program-and-symposium/previous-recipients-of-the-oesper-award.html)
27. [Source](https://www.acs.org/funding/awards/acs-award-for-computers-in-chemical-and-pharmaceutical-research/past-recipients.html)
28. [Source](https://www.science.org.au/profile/john-pople)
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35. Munzinger Personen
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37. Autoritats UB
38. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File