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Brian Cox

Historical Figure

Brian Cox

b. 1968

English physicist and musician (born 1968)

Modern

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Biography

Brian Edward Cox is an English physicist and musician. He is a professor of particle physics in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Manchester and the Royal Society Professor for Public Engagement in Science. He is best known to the public as the presenter of science programmes, especially BBC Radio 4's The Infinite Monkey Cage and the Wonders of... series and for popular science books, including Why Does E=mc2? (2009) and The Quantum Universe (2011).

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Timeline

The story of Brian Cox, told in moments.

Legacy

Holds a professorship at the University of Manchester while working at CERN on the ATLAS experiment. One of the few people who've had both a top-40 single and published research in particle physics.

1991 Event

Played keyboards in the band D:Ream. Their single "Things Can Only Get Better" became the Labour Party's 1997 campaign anthem. Cox had already left for physics by then.

1998 Event

Completed his PhD in high-energy particle physics at the University of Manchester. His doctoral work focused on the H1 experiment at the HERA particle accelerator in Hamburg.

2010 Event

Wonders of the Solar System aired on BBC Two. Cox's enthusiastic presenting style made particle physics accessible. David Attenborough called him a natural successor.

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