Dame Marjorie Williamson (30 July 1913–12 August 2002) was a physicist, academic and college principal who grew up in Wakefield and went on to pursue research into some of the most complex areas of theoretical physics.
Born Elsie Marjorie Williamson in Burton upon Trent, she was an only child. Her family moved to Wakefield during the year of her birth. She went to Wakefield Girls’ High School before graduating from Royal Holloway College in 1936, with degrees in both mathematics and physics.
Dame Marjorie Williamson’s Career in Physics
After graduating, Marjorie remained at Royal Holloway as a demonstrator in physics. She also threw herself into college life, most strikingly by playing double bass in the college orchestra.
During the Second World War, she lectured at University College of Wales in Aberystwyth. In 1945, she returned to London as a physics lecturer at Bedford College.
Her research interests included the unification of the theory of relativity, quantum mechanics and electromagnetic theory.
St Mary’s College, Durham
During her ten years at Bedford College, Marjorie became increasingly interested in college administration. From 1955 to 1962, she served as Principal of St Mary’s College, Durham. Whilst there, she oversaw an important period of development and transformation for the college.
According to contemporary descriptions, Marjorie was a tall, imposing figure who presided with grace and dignity. Her approach to students was friendly without familiarity.
She continued to lecture in relativity, and got to know her students as individuals rather than simply dealing with them administratively.
In later life, Marjorie moved to a converted barn in Suffolk, where she was close to old friends. Increasing ill health made her final years difficult, but she faced them with courage and good humour. She died in 2002, aged 89.
Dame Marjorie Williamson’s Wakefield Blue Plaque
Dame Marjorie Williamson became number nine in our campaign for Blue Plaque Parity in Wakefield.
We unveiled her blue plaque during Wakefield’s Festival of the Moon in August 2019. It celebrates a woman who grew up and studied in Wakefield, before building a distinguished career in physics and higher education.
Bringing Professor Williamson’s Science to Life
As part of Dream Time Creative’s commission for Wakefield’s Festival of the Moon in 2019, actor Lucy Tranter took on the role of Professor Williamson.
In a theatrical performance at Wakefield Market Hall on 28 August 2019, Lucy brought some of the ideas behind quantum mechanics to life and introduced audiences to Marjorie’s work and achievements.
Professor Quantum: Imagining a Different History for Women in Science
Marjorie’s scientific career also inspired Professor Quantum, Caleb Shepherd’s creative exploration of what she might have achieved in an imagined parallel universe where women scientists had the same opportunities as men in the years leading up to the Moon landings.
The science-fiction-inspired performance explored an imagined version of what might have been. It was not intended as an alternate biography. Instead, it used her story to explore the possibilities that might have existed if women working in science had as many opportunities as men to develop their careers and research in the years leading up to the 1969 moon landing.
The play also inspired a Professor Quantum comic book, illustrated by Shannon S. Wishon, shown on the right.
