From Tait to Higgs: Tracing the Legacy of Mathematical Physics at the University of Edinburgh

Edinburgh, often thought of as the 'Athens of the North', has long been a central hub for intellectual and scientific advancement. Since the Enlightenment, the city has cultivated a profound academic environment that has significantly shaped the landscape of global science, particularly in the realm of mathematical and theoretical physics.

The University of Edinburgh, established in 1582, has been at the forefront of scientific innovation. This tradition began as early as the 18th century when the University deliberately positioned itself as a beacon of science and medicine, attracting students and scholars from across the globe. By the 19th century, figures such as James Clerk Maxwell, who formulated the classical theory of electromagnetic radiation, exemplified the University's impact on the physical sciences. Maxwell's equations, which he developed during his time in Edinburgh, are still considered one of the most profound influences in the field of physics.

The legacy continued into the 20th and 21st centuries, with renewed contributions to the field, one of the most notable being the work of Peter Higgs, whose prediction of the Higgs boson particle—a cornerstone in the Standard Model of particle physics—was experimentally confirmed in 2012, earning him a Nobel Prize in Physics in 2013 More about Peter Higgs and the Standard Model here.

Edinburgh's contribution to science is characterised by its interdisciplinary approach, which has fostered significant advancements in areas ranging from quantum physics to the fields of computational science and artificial intelligence. This interdisciplinary tradition ensures that Edinburgh not only remains relevant but also continues to be a leading force in addressing complex scientific questions.

As part of the recruitment for the most recent Tait Chair of Mathematical Physics, the Higgs Centre created this short film about the development of the Tait Chair and the history of mathematical and theoretical physics in Edinburgh:

For those interested in an in-depth look at the curious history of the Tait Chairs and the development of mathematical and theoretical physics in Edinburgh, we have created this research paper with a great overview of primary source research and oral history available at Edinburgh (HYPERLINK PDF PAPER pdf version, please let us know if you would like this in a different format). But for a very short overview, please continue reading below.

TAIT

Peter Guthrie Tait, born in 1831 in Dalkeith just outside Edinburgh, was a Scottish physicist and mathematician who contributed to the development of quaternions. This advanced algebra resulted in vector analysis and was instrumental in the development of modern mathematical physics.

He was Chair of Natural Philosophy, one of the oldest chairs existing at the University of Edinburgh. When Tait was appointed, an Edinburgh newspaper attributed his success to the fact that he excelled at lecturing. This Chair was held by Nobel Prize Laureate Charles Glover Barkla after him, from 1913. Following Tait's death, his family, friends, and former students expressed a commitment to establishing a memorial in his honour. The Chair was finally established on February 13, 1922, by an Ordinance of the University Court under the Universities (Scotland) Act 1889.

Interesting fact: It is well documented that Tait had a passion for golf and was a well-known figure at St Andrew's from 1868 to the end of his days. He was applying his mathematical and physical knowledge to explain the long flight of the golf ball. After constructing mathematical models and conducting extensive experiments to evaluate their parameters, Tait determined the maximum distance a golf ball could travel by the most skilled golfer (turns out, one of his sons, a champion golfer, hit the ball further than he predicted!)

[PHOTO CAROUSEL]

THE TAIT CHAIRS

DARWIN

Charles Galton Darwin (1887-1962) was the first ‘Tait Professor’ at the University of Edinburgh, serving from 1924 until 1936. A grandson of the famous naturalist Charles Darwin, Darwin's work included a paper on the collision of alpha particles with light nuclei, which helped Rutherford in the work that led to the discovery of artificial nuclear disintegration. Darwin considered himself a lifelong applied mathematician rather than a theoretical physicist but he lectured to postgraduates, often in the mathematics department, on various branches of theoretical physics.

Interesting fact: He was Director of the National Physical Laboratory during World War II, an incredibly important position, as he re-organised the institution for the war effort. He was also seconded to Washington during his tenure.

BORN

In February 1936, a committee on the future of the Tait Chair convened and reported to the University Court that they were unanimous of the opinion that Erwin Schrödinger should be recommended but due to a long delay by the Home Office the offer was eventually made to Max Born in 1936, who gratefully accepted, and also thanks to some intervention and an invitation by Darwin. His work on Relativity and various aspects of Atomic Structure had already brought him international renown (and would later be awarded by the Nobel Prize in Physics), and while in Edinburgh, he continued to enrich the literature of his science. In the years that followed, the Borns' home at 86 Grange Loan, where a plaque can be found nowadays, was often busy with visits from scientists, artists, and musicians.

Interesting fact: Max Born’s postdoctoral research assistant in Edinburgh, Klaus Fuchs, became infamous for his role as a spy for the Soviet Union during and after World War II.

KEMMER

In 1953, Nicholas Kemmer (1911-1988) was appointed as the third Tait Professor of Natural Philosophy – he renamed it the Tait Chair of Mathematical Physics in 1966. He was born in Russia, brought up in Germany and educated in Zurich. Kemmer settled in the UK at Trinity College, Cambridge, and in 1940 he worked on tube alloys. His most famous contribution to science was the prediction in 1938 of the existence of three varieties of particles (one positive, one negative and one neutral) that couple symmetrically to protons and neutrons to produce nuclear forces independent of charge. In Edinburgh, Kemmer mentored young scientists, including Peter Higgs, who became a close friend and colleague. He also founded the Tait Institute of Mathematical Physics.

Interesting fact: Kemmer worked on Tube Alloys, the secret research and development programme by the United Kingdom, to develop nuclear weapons during World War II, which was started before the Manhattan Project.

WALLACE

In 1979, David Wallace, who had previously completed an undergraduate degree in mathematical physics and a PhD under the supervision of Peter Higgs in Edinburgh, returned to the University as the fourth Tait Professor. At that time, several areas of physics had developed distinct theoretical branches, whereas the focus of the Chair had evolved gradually through the early years of quantum mechanics and its growing range of applications to the emerging field of elementary particle physics under Kemmer. David Wallace was working on the application of quantum field theory methods to phase transitions in condensed matter systems.

Interesting fact: The 'Gang of Four' around Wallace, developed a research program in lattice QCD, supported by innovative computers from the UK and later the US. Despite leading in chip and system architecture design during the 1980s, the UK's potential was undercut by insufficient investment, leading to the sale of many pioneering enterprises to foreign entities.

KENWAY

In 1995, Richard Kenway became the Fifth Tait Chair. Kenway’s research focussed on designing, building, and operating ever more powerful computers to simulate QCD with the goal of establishing it within the Standard Model of Particle Physics as the theory of the strong interaction. This involved enormous calculations, which ran on computers for months, even years, sharing the task of data generation with international collaborators. This branch of theoretical physics, or computational physics as it came to be called, was becoming big science. As Tait Professor, Kenway inherited leadership of a small group of mathematical physicists, notably responsible for teaching the prestigious Honours Mathematical Physics degree programme. Often referred to as the ‘jewel in the crown’ of Edinburgh’s physics teaching, this has an ethos that combines honours mathematics courses with theoretical physics.

Interesting fact: Kenway co-founded SUPA, the Scottish Universities Physics Alliance.

TOBIAS

Appointed as the most recent Tait Chair of Mathematical Physics at the University of Edinburgh, in 2025, Steve Tobias brings to the role a broad vision of the field and a deep commitment to both fundamental research and public engagement. Tobias's research is positioned at the intersection of fluid dynamics, astrophysics, nonlinear dynamics, and plasma physics. His work primarily focuses on the dynamics of turbulent fluids and plasmas and their interactions with magnetic fields.

Interesting fact: Tobias sees part of his role as helping rebuild trust in scientific expertise and making the case for the societal value of fundamental research.

A Brief History of the Tait Institute