Canterbury alumni - Ernest Rutherford

One of Canterbury University's most distinguished alumni is Ernest Rutherford. He attended what was then called Canterbury College from 1890 - 1894 and obtained three degrees. He won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1908. His work was important in developing the framework for 20th century nuclear science.

Rutherford worked here in the 'old tin shed' which housed the Chemistry and Physics laboratory at Canterbury College until WWI. His lecturer at the time was Professor Bickerton who also taught John Erskine and was to become notorious in NZ for his positons on marriage and society

Rutherford's mathematics lectures were conducted here in the old Mathematics lecture room under Professor Charles Cook. Interestingly Professor Cook had a long-standing rivalry with Professor Bickerton.

For more information on Rutherford see the University library