John Herbert Beynon

1923 - 2015

Quick facts

  • Art period: Modern
  • Museums on this site: National Gallery of Canada
  • Also known as: John H. Beynon
  • Works on this site: 1
  • Lifespan: 92 years

Scientific Legacy of John Herbert Beynon

John Herbert Beynon was not a visual artist, but a distinguished Welsh chemist and physicist. Born in the Welsh coal-mining town of Ystalyfera, he pursued his education at the University of Wales at Swansea, where he earned a B.S. in physics in 1943. His early career was marked by service in the Fighting Vehicles Research Establishment, where he focused on developing tank fire-control systems between 1943 and 1947.

Beynon is widely recognized for his significant contributions to the field of mass spectrometry. His work included the construction of the first mass spectrometer designed to study organic compounds unrelated to petroleum and a collaboration with Metropolitan-Vickers to produce the MS8 mass spectrometer. Throughout his career, he held prestigious positions, including serving as a Professor of Chemistry and Director of the Mass Spectrometry Center at Purdue University, and later as a Royal Society Research Professor at Swansea University.

Questions & Answers

How can I follow John Herbert Beynon's work year by year?

A timeline of John Herbert Beynon's works exists: the artist's Artwork Timeline page orders the artworks by creation date.

Can I browse John Herbert Beynon's works by color palette?

To find works by John Herbert Beynon in a specific palette, use the artist's By Palettes page.

What colors did John Herbert Beynon use most often?

The Palette Genome of John Herbert Beynon is a page that presents the color profile of the artist's body of work.

In which historical period did John Herbert Beynon work?

John Herbert Beynon worked in the Modern period. The period situates the artist's activity in history.

Quick quiz

There is only one correct answer for each question.

Question 1:
In which Welsh town was John Herbert Beynon born?
Question 2:
What was Beynon's field of expertise?
Question 3:
Which institution did Beynon serve at between 1943 and 1947?
Question 4:
In which year was Beynon elected to the Royal Society?
Question 5:
What was Beynon's role at Purdue University starting in 1968?