Origins & Early Life

John Michael Kosterlitz (born June 22, 1943) is a British-American physicist. He is a professor of physics at Brown University and the son of biochemist Hans Kosterlitz. He was awarded the 2016 Nobel Prize in physics along with David Thouless and Duncan Haldane for work on condensed matter physics. He was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, to German-Jewish émigrés, the son of the pioneering biochemist Hans Walter Kosterlitz and Hannah Gresshöner.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He was educated independently at Robert Gordon's College before transferring to the Edinburgh Academy to prepare for his university entrance examinations. He received his BA degree, subsequently converted to an MA degree, at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge. In 1969, he earned a DPhil degree from the University of Oxford as a postgraduate student of Brasenose College, Oxford. After a few postdoctoral positions, including positions at the University of Birmingham, collaborating with David Thouless, and at Cornell University, he was appointed to the faculty of the University of Birmingham in 1974, first as a lecturer and, later, as a reader. Since 1982, he has been professor of physics...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

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

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Alvy Ray Smith — Contemporary (Born in 1943) (1943): Pioneering computer scientist and co-founder of Pixar Animation Studios.
• Antonio Inoki — Contemporary (Born in 1943) (1943): Pioneering Japanese wrestler, martial artist, and political figure.
• Arthur Ashe — Contemporary (Born in 1943) (1943): Pioneering American tennis star, celebrated for his skill and activism.
• Abbas Kiarostami — Shared historical date (06-22 · Born) (1940): Master Iranian filmmaker known for blending fiction and documentary styles.
• Adam Schiff — Shared historical date (06-22 · Born) (1960): Long-serving Democratic politician, former Congressman, and current U.S. Senator from California.
• Arthur B. McDonald — Historical peer (Born in 1943) (1943): Pioneering Canadian astrophysicist, recognized for neutrino research and the 2015 Nobel Prize.
• Barry Manilow — Historical peer (Born in 1943) (1943): Enduring American singer, songwriter, and producer with a six-decade career.
• Alan Rickman — Historical peer (Died in 2016) (2016): Iconic English actor celebrated for his distinctive voice and powerful stage presence.
• Andrew Grove — Historical peer (Died in 2016) (2016): Visionary engineer and CEO who drove Intel to global semiconductor dominance.
• Adam Gilchrist — Historical peer (Born in 1969) (1969): Legendary Australian cricketer, redefining the wicket-keeper-batsman role with aggressive flair.
• 1943 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1943
• June 22 (06-22) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on June 22