John Murrell (chemist)

John Murrell

John Norman Murrell FRS (2 March 1932 – 25 January 2016) was a British theoretical chemist who played a leading role in revolutionising the UK's reputation for theoretical chemistry during the second half of the 20th century. He made important contributions to the understanding of the spectra of organic molecules, to the theory of intermolecular forces and to the construction of potential energy surfaces. He established the University of Sussex as a world-leading centre for research and teaching in theoretical chemistry, co-authoring many influential textbooks for both undergraduate and graduate students.^[1]

He was awarded the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Meldola Medal in 1961 and was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in 1991.^[2]
The John Murrell Fund was set up upon his death in 2016 in order to support Sussex Chemistry PHD students facing financial difficulties.

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