Origins & Early Life

Sir Alan Lloyd Hodgkin (5 February 1914 – 20 December 1998) was an English physiologist and biophysicist who shared the 1963 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Andrew Huxley and John Eccles. Hodgkin was born in Banbury, Oxfordshire, on 5 February 1914. He was the oldest of three sons of Quakers George Hodgkin and Mary Wilson Hodgkin. His father was the son of Thomas Hodgkin and had read for the Natural Science Tripos at Cambridge where he had befriended electrophysiologist Keith Lucas.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Because of poor eyesight, he was unable to study medicine and eventually ended up working for a bank in Banbury. As members of the Society of Friends, George and Mary opposed the Military Service Act of 1916, which introduced conscription, and had to endure a great deal of abuse from their local community, including an attempt to throw George in one of the town canals. In 1916, George Hodgkin travelled to Armenia as part of an investigation of distress. Moved by the misery and suffering of Armenian refugees he attempted to go back there in 1918 on a route through the Persian Gulf (as the northern route was closed because of the October Revolution in Russia). He...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Albert Günther — Contemporary (Died in 1914) (1914): Pioneering zoologist and ichthyologist, renowned for extensive systematic descriptions of reptiles and fish.
• Albert Soboul — Contemporary (Born in 1914) (1914): Influential French historian specializing in the French Revolution and Napoleonic eras.
• Alec Guinness — Contemporary (Born in 1914) (1914): Iconic English actor celebrated for stage mastery and cinematic versatility.
• Aitana Bonmatí — Contemporary (Born in 1998) (1998): Star Spanish midfielder known for her decorated career with Barcelona and the Spain national team.
• Akira Kurosawa — Contemporary (Died in 1998) (1998): Master of Japanese cinema, known for dynamic style and epic storytelling.
• Alan J. Pakula — Contemporary (Died in 1998) (1998): American film director, writer, and producer known for political thrillers.
• Adam Ondra — Shared historical date (02-05 · Born) (1993): Czech professional rock climber, specializing in lead, bouldering, and competition.
• Banjo Paterson — Shared historical date (02-05 · Died) (1941): Iconic Australian bush poet, journalist, and author of 'Waltzing Matilda'
• Abdulrazak Gurnah — Shared historical date (12-20 · Born) (1948): Acclaimed Tanzanian novelist and Nobel laureate exploring themes of colonialism and refuge.
• Arthur Rubinstein — Shared historical date (12-20 · Died) (1982): Master Polish and American pianist, celebrated for his interpretations of Chopin and classical repertoire.
• 1914 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1914
• February 5 (02-05) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on February 5
• 1998 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1998
• December 20 (12-20) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on December 20