Rudolf Peierls

German-born British physicist
Person human Q61735
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Rudolf Peierls was a theoretical physicist, university teacher, physicist, and nuclear physicist[1] working in the field of theoretical physics. Born in Berlin on June 5, 1907[2][3][4][5][6][1][7][8][9][10], he held citizenship in both the United Kingdom and Germany[11]. He was the son of Heinrich Peierls[4] and the father of Ronald F. Peierls[12]. He died in Oxford on September 19, 1995[2][3][4][5][6][1][7][9].

His education included studies at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Frederick William University Berlin, and Leipzig University[4]. Throughout his career, he was employed by Victoria University of Manchester from 1932 to 1935[4][1], the University of Birmingham from 1937 to 1963[4][1], the University of Oxford from 1963 to 1974[4][1], and Leiden University starting in 1976[4][1].

His contributions were recognized with numerous awards, including being named a Fellow of the Royal Society and receiving the Copley Medal, Royal Medal, Max Planck Medal, Lorentz Medal, and Commander of the Order of the British Empire, among two additional awards[4][13][14].

Rudolf Peierls

Summary

Rudolf Peierls is a human[1]. Born in Berlin[2], he… he was born on June 5, 1907[3]. He died in Oxford[4]. He died on September 19, 1995[5]. He worked as a theoretical physicist[6], university teacher[7], physicist[8], and nuclear physicist[9]. He ranks in the top 0.72% of human entities by monthly Wikipedia readership (165 views/month, #7,159 of 1,000,298).[10]

Key Facts

  • Rudolf Peierls was born in Berlin[2].
  • Rudolf Peierls died in Oxford[4].
  • Rudolf Peierls was born on June 5, 1907[3].
  • Rudolf Peierls died on September 19, 1995[5].
  • Rudolf Peierls's father was Heinrich Peierls[11].
  • A child of Rudolf Peierls was Ronald F. Peierls[12].
  • Rudolf Peierls held citizenship in United Kingdom[13].
  • Rudolf Peierls held citizenship in Germany[14].
  • Rudolf Peierls's professions included theoretical physicist[6].
  • Rudolf Peierls worked as a university teacher[7].
  • Rudolf Peierls's professions included physicist[8].
  • Rudolf Peierls's professions included nuclear physicist[9].
  • Rudolf Peierls's field of work was theoretical physics[15].
  • Rudolf Peierls was employed by University of Oxford[16].
  • Among Rudolf Peierls's employers was University of Birmingham[17].
  • Rudolf Peierls was employed by Leiden University[18].
  • Rudolf Peierls was employed by Victoria University of Manchester[19].
  • Rudolf Peierls was employed by ETH Zurich[20].
  • Among Rudolf Peierls's employers was University of Cambridge[21].
  • Rudolf Peierls's education included a stint at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München[22].
  • Rudolf Peierls was educated at Frederick William University Berlin[23].
  • Rudolf Peierls's education included a stint at Leipzig University[24].
  • Rudolf Peierls's doctoral advisor was Werner Heisenberg[25].
  • Rudolf Peierls's doctoral advisor was Friedrich Hund[26].
  • Rudolf Peierls's doctoral advisor was Peter Debye[27].

Body

Origins and Family

Born in Berlin[2], Rudolf Peierls… he was born on June 5, 1907[3]. His father was Heinrich Peierls[11].

Education

Educated at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München[22], a public research university[28], in Germany[29], founded in 1472[30], headquartered in Hauptgebäude der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München[31]; Frederick William University Berlin[23], a university[32], in Prussia[33], founded in 1828[34]; and Leipzig University[24], a public university[35], in Germany[36], founded in 1409[37], headquartered in Leipzig[38]. Doctoral advisors include Werner Heisenberg[25], Friedrich Hund[26], and Peter Debye[27].

Career and Affiliations

Recorded occupations include theoretical physicist[6], university teacher[7], physicist[8], and nuclear physicist[9]. Rudolf Peierls's field of work was theoretical physics[15]. Employers include University of Oxford[16], a collegiate university[39], in United Kingdom[40], founded in 1096[41], headquartered in Oxford[42]; University of Birmingham[17], a public research university[43], in United Kingdom[44], founded in 1900[45], headquartered in Birmingham[46]; Leiden University[18], a university[47], in Netherlands[48], founded in 1575[49], headquartered in Leiden[50]; Victoria University of Manchester[19], a university[51], in United Kingdom[52], founded in 1851[53], headquartered in Manchester[54]; ETH Zurich[20], an institute of technology[55], in Switzerland[56], founded in 1855[57], headquartered in ETH Zurich main building[58]; and University of Cambridge[21], a collegiate university[59], in United Kingdom[60], founded in 1209[61], headquartered in Cambridge[62]. Doctoral students include Gerald E. Brown[63], Fred Hoyle[64], Luis Joaquín Boya Balet[65], Władysław Świątecki[66], Melvin A. Preston[67], and Sheila Brenner[68].

Recognition

Awards received include Fellow of the Royal Society[69], a fellowship award[70], in United Kingdom[71]; Copley Medal[72], a medallion[73], in United Kingdom[74], founded in 1731[75]; Royal Medal[76], a science award[77], in United Kingdom[78], founded in 1826[79]; Max Planck Medal[80], a medallion[81], in Germany[82], founded in 1929[83]; Lorentz Medal[84], a science award[85], in Netherlands[86], founded in 1925[87]; and Commander of the Order of the British Empire[88], a grade of an order[89], in United Kingdom[90].

Personal Life

A child of Rudolf Peierls was Ronald F. Peierls[12].

Death and Burial

Rudolf Peierls died on September 19, 1995[5]. He died in Oxford[4].

Works and Contributions

Things named for Rudolf Peierls include Peierls transition[91].

Why It Matters

Rudolf Peierls ranks in the top 0.72% of human entities by monthly Wikipedia readership (165 views/month, #7,159 of 1,000,298).[10] He has Wikipedia articles in 22 language editions, a strong signal of global cultural recognition.[92] He is known by 31 alternative names across languages and contexts.[93]

He has been cited as an influence by Otto Robert Frisch[94], a physicist[95], 1904–1979[96], of Austria[97], awarded the Fellow of the Royal Society[98], specialised in nuclear physics[99].

Works attributed to him include Frisch–Peierls memorandum[100], a memorandum[101], written by Otto Robert Frisch[102]. Entities named for him include Peierls transition[91].

His notable doctoral advisees include John Stewart Bell[103], a mathematician[104], 1928–1990[105], of United Kingdom[106], awarded the Fellow of the Royal Society[107], specialised in quantum physics[108]; Fred Hoyle[109], a screenwriter[110], 1915–2001[111], of United Kingdom[112], awarded the Fellow of the Royal Society[113], specialised in astronomy[114]; Edwin Ernest Salpeter[115], an astronomer[116], 1924–2008[117], of Austria[118], awarded the Hans A. Bethe Prize[119], specialised in physics[120]; Gerald E. Brown[121]; and James S. Langer[122].

FAQs

Where was Rudolf Peierls born?

Born in Berlin[2], Rudolf Peierls…

Where did Rudolf Peierls die?

Rudolf Peierls died in Oxford[4].

Who were Rudolf Peierls's parents?

Rudolf Peierls's father was Heinrich Peierls[11].

What did Rudolf Peierls do for work?

Rudolf Peierls worked as theoretical physicist[6], university teacher[7], physicist[8], and nuclear physicist[9].

Where did Rudolf Peierls go to school?

Rudolf Peierls was educated at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München[22], Frederick William University Berlin[23], and Leipzig University[24].

What awards did Rudolf Peierls receive?

Honors received include Fellow of the Royal Society[69], Copley Medal[72], Royal Medal[76], and Max Planck Medal[80].

Who did Rudolf Peierls influence?

Rudolf Peierls has been cited as an influence by Otto Robert Frisch[94].

References

Programmatic citations — every numbered marker resolves to a verifiable graph row below.

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  1. 18d ago · Sj1mor · 2026-05-14 view diff on Wikidata ↗
    Plaque image University of Birmingham - Poynting Physics Building - blue plaques group - Fris
    P5821 8207
    Image purged at
    Image needs reharvest
    + 1 other property edited (see Wikidata diff for full list)
    "/* wbsetclaim-create:2||1 */ [[Property:P1801]]: University of Birmingham - Poynting Physics Building - blue plaques group - Frisch Peierls.jpg"
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