Scientist. Keith Lucas was a pioneer British neuroscientist, who had assisted Edgar Douglas Adrian, 1st Baron of Adrian as a senior advisor in his post-graduate research with the law of "all or none" of nerves. Adrian received the 1932 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for this research on the neurons. Lucas scientific endeavors were interrupted with the outset of World War I and his untimely death during the war in 1916. In 1917 Adrian published "The Conduction of the Nervous Impulse", crediting Lucas's co-authorship. Born in Greenwich, he was the son of Francis Robert and Katharine Mary Riddle Lucas. After graduating from Trinity College at Cambridge with a BA in natural sciences in 1901, he started working in 1902 in New Zealand on the bathymetrical survey of the lakes. After returning to England, he became a Fellow of Trinity College in 1904, a demonstrator in physiology in 1907, and a lecturer in natural sciences in 1908. He delivered the Royal Society Crooian Lecture in 1912 and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1913. For his military war effort, he was engaged in experimental research in aerial navigation and early aeroplane compasses. The "Daily Mirror" credits him with making "A new type of compass specially adapted for the varying conditions experienced in flight." At the rank of captain, he became a member of the Hampshire Aircraft Parks Royal Flying Corps at Farnborough. While being certified for his pilot license, he was killed on October 5, 1916 in a mid-air crash when his aircraft BE2c 5389 collided with BE2c 4174, flown by 2Lt Geoffrey Plateras Lawson Jacques. Both pilots were killed. Besides his burial site, his name is honored on the War memorial of Fen Ditton Cambridgeshire. In France in 1909, he married Alys Hubbard, and the couple had three sons. As his widow, Alys changed the family surname to "Keith-Lucas" and edited a short book giving his background together with reminiscences of him and a list of his publications. Since Nobel Prizes are not awarded posthumously, he was not a candidate.
Scientist. Keith Lucas was a pioneer British neuroscientist, who had assisted Edgar Douglas Adrian, 1st Baron of Adrian as a senior advisor in his post-graduate research with the law of "all or none" of nerves. Adrian received the 1932 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for this research on the neurons. Lucas scientific endeavors were interrupted with the outset of World War I and his untimely death during the war in 1916. In 1917 Adrian published "The Conduction of the Nervous Impulse", crediting Lucas's co-authorship. Born in Greenwich, he was the son of Francis Robert and Katharine Mary Riddle Lucas. After graduating from Trinity College at Cambridge with a BA in natural sciences in 1901, he started working in 1902 in New Zealand on the bathymetrical survey of the lakes. After returning to England, he became a Fellow of Trinity College in 1904, a demonstrator in physiology in 1907, and a lecturer in natural sciences in 1908. He delivered the Royal Society Crooian Lecture in 1912 and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1913. For his military war effort, he was engaged in experimental research in aerial navigation and early aeroplane compasses. The "Daily Mirror" credits him with making "A new type of compass specially adapted for the varying conditions experienced in flight." At the rank of captain, he became a member of the Hampshire Aircraft Parks Royal Flying Corps at Farnborough. While being certified for his pilot license, he was killed on October 5, 1916 in a mid-air crash when his aircraft BE2c 5389 collided with BE2c 4174, flown by 2Lt Geoffrey Plateras Lawson Jacques. Both pilots were killed. Besides his burial site, his name is honored on the War memorial of Fen Ditton Cambridgeshire. In France in 1909, he married Alys Hubbard, and the couple had three sons. As his widow, Alys changed the family surname to "Keith-Lucas" and edited a short book giving his background together with reminiscences of him and a list of his publications. Since Nobel Prizes are not awarded posthumously, he was not a candidate.
Bio by: Linda Davis
Inscription
Captain in the Royal Flying Corps
Fellow and Lecturer of Trinity College
And Doctor of Science in the University of Cambridge
Fellow of the Royal Society.
In peace his power of scientific insight and skill in mechanical contrivance had enable him to pen new path in the study of the processes of life.
In war when the freedom of mankind and the cause of truth were at stake, he devoted these gifts to the service of his country in devising new means for guiding the flight of air craft and for strengthening the weapons of aerial warfare.
In mid-air over Salisbury Plain, he was killed on October 5, 1915 in his 38th year.
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